Understanding Disability Through a Data Lens
It’s before lunch, and Anna Bolgrien’s (MNLEND 2020-21) work for the day has already touched on mental health, HIV, and water quality. As a senior research scientist and project manager for the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Social Research and Data Innovation , Bolgrien relishes the breadth of data management projects on her plate.
“I’m not a specialist in any of those areas, but I know enough to be able to take the available data and make it easier to use in research. It’s fun getting to think about so many different topics on any given day,” she said.
While she harmonizes Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS) within the IPUMS Center for Data Integration, Bolgrien also uses the Center’s capabilities for her own demographic research projects. IPUMS merges global census and survey data in ways that make it easier for researchers to study change and compare research around the world. They help a broad range of scholars, particularly in the realm of women’s and children’s health.
Recently, she began collaborating with Tara Casebolt from Loyola University on a project using MICS to help better understand child labor patterns in developing countries and how they are affected by disability.
“We’re looking at the number of hours children are doing work and household chores, and how that varies if they have a parent with a disability,” she said. “We're trying to explore a question around whether children are doing more labor force work to offset the financial constraints a household might be facing or are they stepping in and doing more unpaid household labor?”
Bolgrien, who began her current role in 2021 after completing a doctorate degree from the University’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs, hopes to assist more disability-related research projects in the future. Her MNLEND fellowship experience and her personal experiences as the sister of someone who lives with Down syndrome keep her curious about exploring more disability-related research.
“While my work to this point hasn’t been heavily involved with disability, the LEND program was a huge value to me in just feeling more confident professionally and in navigating my changing relationship with Mindy as she was transitioning to adult life. At the time, my parents were just learning all of the jargon and systems in disability, and they did a tremendous job,” she said.
“Being in MNLEND gave me more of a shared vocabulary with my parents. It helped shape my sibling role going forward and deepened my relationship with Mindy.”
Rebecca Dosch Brown, director of interdisciplinary education at ICI, said the MNLEND team is proud, but not surprised, to see how Bolgrien expanded her research interests and deepened her understanding of disability knowledge, policies, and systems during and since her fellowship.
“Developing future leaders across disciplines who will maintain an ongoing commitment to disability issues is what we strive for in LEND,” Dosch Brown said. “It is about equipping them to support their families and the greater community.”