Social policy experts Ron Haskins and Isabel Sawhill of the Brookings Institution, who both serve on the MDRC Board of Directors, will be awarded the 2016 Daniel Patrick Moynihan Prize from the American Academy of Political and Social Science (AAPSS) in May. Each year, the Moynihan Prize is given to a leading policymaker, social scientist, or public intellectual whose career demonstrates the value of using social science evidence to advance the public good.

From the AAPSS announcement:

“The Academy proudly recognizes Ron Haskins and Isabel Sawhill as the winners of this year’s Moynihan Prize,” said AAPSS President Ken Prewitt. “Their commitment to creating strong public policy despite political differences and to encouraging civility and scientific partnership make Belle and Ron most worthy recipients of this award. Senator Moynihan spent a great deal of his career in public service working for evidence-based policies that support child development and strong families; the careers of Drs. Sawhill and Haskins are proof of that ideal continuing in public life today.”

Haskins and Sawhill were jointly nominated, making this the first time two awardees have been chosen to receive the prize. Their collaboration began in 2001, when they worked on the effects of welfare reform legislation with a shared goal of creating opportunity for children and families. Their collaboration led to the establishment of the Center on Children and Families at the Brookings Institution.