Poverty

It’s impacted every century and every country. Now, Notre Dame researchers are working to create a world intolerant of poverty.

A young girl, wearing a light purple shirt, stands outside and smiles shyly while raising her hand to her face.
  1. A hand holds a small, dark silhouette of a house against a vibrant sunset. The sun shines brightly through the house's cutout windows, creating a warm glow.

    News

    New homelessness prevention toolkit empowers communities with proven, cost-effective way to keep families housed

    A new homelessness prevention toolkit is now available to help cities and counties across the country take a proactive approach to reducing homelessness. Developed through a collaboration among Notre Dame's Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO), Results for America and Destination: Home, this toolkit equips communities with a data-driven approach to keep families housed and avoid the costly and disruptive consequences of homelessness.

  3. Young middle school student with long black hair sits at her desk in front of a laptop where you can see on the screen that a teacher is giving virtual instruction.

    News

    Virtual learning detrimental to school attendance, especially in districts with higher poverty rates, study finds

    Since the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of chronic absenteeism have nearly doubled across the nation for students in kindergarten through grade 12. This increase was tied to the mode of instruction during the early years of the pandemic. In particular, schools that employed virtual learning as the primary teaching mode during the 2020-21 school year experienced a greater increase in chronic absenteeism in the following year. That increase was significantly greater in school districts with higher levels of poverty, according to new research from William Evans, the Keough-Hesburgh Professor of Economics and co-founder of Notre Dame’s Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities.

  4. A classroom of Haitian elementary students with a teacher, all sitting at their desks with books in front of them

    News

    Notre Dame literacy research can improve learning outcomes and fight global poverty

    A new study by a team of Notre Dame researchers makes a significant contribution to understanding the factors that influence how young elementary school students respond to reading interventions in fragile and low-income contexts. It has important implications for addressing educational inequities and improving learning outcomes to create opportunity and lift millions of children globally out of poverty.

  5. News

    Through experiential learning, students explore poverty solutions in Nigeria

    Communities across northern Nigeria are chronically stressed by conflict and climate change, with many residents living below the international poverty line. How can policymakers help them prepare for economic shocks? Notre Dame global affairs students students have researched answers, providing insights that can inform poverty-fighting policies.

  7. A teacher smiles at a group of enthusiastic children clapping beneath the shade of a large tree. He holds a pointer toward an expansion chart propped against the tree trunk, illustrating the concept of thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones. A small building is visible in the background.

    News

    Through local partnerships, Notre Dame researchers seek solutions to global poverty

    Notre Dame's 'Graduating from Learning Poverty' project partners with local organizations in Kenya, Senegal, and Uganda to improve education outcomes. Through collaborative research with Building Tomorrow and regional partners, the initiative studies sustainable, scalable interventions to address learning challenges in sub-Saharan Africa and create pathways out of poverty.

  8. A hand catches water pouring from a spigot with an orange handle. The spigot is attached to a white concrete wall.

    News

    New study highlights key practices for community water governance

    Water insecurity is one of the most pressing global crises caused by climate change. In fact, half the world’s population is projected to live in water-scarce regions by 2050, and some 700 million people will be displaced by water scarcity as early as 2030, according to the United Nations. Pacific…

Discover and engage
  1. A chicken looking toward the camera in a farm setting.

    Article

    Fighting for faster virus detection

    An electronic nose developed by Notre Dame researchers is helping sniff out bird flu biomarkers for faster detection and fewer sick birds.

  2. Satellite image of a hurricane with a clearly defined eye over a blue gridded map.

    Article

    Fighting to improve hurricane forecasts

    Researchers at Notre Dame are improving hurricane forecast accuracy, giving officials time to evacuate and protect residents.

  3. Silhouetted statue with outstretched arms against a vibrant pink and orange sunset, with the golden dome of the Main Building and its statue of Mary at the University of Notre Dame.

    Photo Essay

    So long, summer

    The quiet summer days on campus.

  4. Single peanut in the shell on a reflective surface, with a blurred background of more peanuts against a warm, red and orange backdrop.

    Article

    From reaction to resolution: The future of allergy treatment

    How a child’s simple request led to an extraordinary breakthrough in peanut allergy treatment.

  5. Anatomical model of a spinal section with an artificial disc implant. Yellow and red cushioning discs are visible between the white vertebrae.

    Article

    Finding fusion: An engineer and neurosurgeon unite to improve spinal surgery

    A Notre Dame collaboration developed a new spinal implant, improving outcomes for more than 600 patients.

  6. Silhouette of a graduating student wearing a cap and gown, head bowed.

    Photo Essay

    May days

    The month in photos, May 2025.

  7. A doctor in blue scrubs holds a red stethoscope, preparing to examine a newborn lying in a hospital bassinet. A young woman wearing a yellow Notre Dame sweatshirt stands beside them.

    Podcast

    A better start for NICU families: Notre Dame leads the way in neonatal intensive care research

  8. Silhouette of a graduating student wearing a mortarboard, with the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame blurred in the background.

    Article

    Celebrating the Class of 2025

    Honoring achievement at the 180th commencement ceremonies.

  9. A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing a fuchsia blazer and white shirt, smiles with her hands clasped in front of her in a small chapel. A crucifix and altar are visible in the background.

    Article

    Leading through service

    Laetare Medal winner Kerry Alys Robinson builds trust in the Church by meeting human needs.