Bio
Daniel Miller is a researcher dedicated to advancing the well-being of children and families. “My work is driven by the belief that social policies have the ultimate potential to assure this well-being,” he says. “As a result, I focus on investigating the relationships between policies and the health, economic, and social welfare of children and their parents.” His intent is to provide actionable evidence for policymakers.
Miller has conducted research on food insecurity and the impacts of food and nutrition assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on children and families. He is also an expert on fathers and how social factors constrain or promote fathers’ involvement with their children. Currently, Dr. Miller is the research director for the Partnership for Social and Economic Mobility at the University of Pennsylvania, where he launched a study on poverty and economic mobility among low-income Philadelphians.
Dr. Miller’s work has been funded by the William T. Grant Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the United States Department of Agriculture. His recent research has appeared in the American Journal of Public Health, the Journal of Marriage and Family, Academic Pediatrics, and Children and Youth Services Review, as well as USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.
Miller served as director of the PhD program from 2019-2024. He is a member of the social policy subcommittee for the Society of Social Work and Research, where he was elected as a Fellow in 2022.
Education
BA (Music & Economics)
Brandeis University
MA (Public Policy & Applied Child Development)
Tufts University
MPhil (Social Policy and Policy Analysis)
Columbia University
PhD (Social Policy & Policy Analysis)
Columbia University
Courses
HB720 Human Behavior in the Social Environment
SR743 Introduction to Social Work Research
HB749 Social Perspectives on Health and Illness
SR905 Social Work Perspectives on Contemporary Social Problems
Courses
HB720 Human Behavior in the Social Environment
SR743 Introduction to Social Work Research
HB749 Social Perspectives on Health and Illness
SR905 Social Work Perspectives on Contemporary Social Problems
Publications
Bowling, A*., Slavet, J., Miller, D.P., Haneuse, S., Beardslee, W., Davison, K. (In press). Cybercycling effects on classroom behavior in children with behavioral health disorders: A randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics.
Miller, D.P. & Chang, J., Ha, Y., & Sprague Martinez, L.S. (2016). Longitudinal trajectories of child food insecurity among children of immigrants. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10903-016-0516-x.
Miller, D.P., Bazzi, A.R., Allen, H., Salas-Wright, C.P., Martinson, M., Jantz, K., Crevi, K.*, H., Rosenbloom, D. (Accepted for publication). A Social Work Perspective on Policy: Implications for Population Health. The American Journal of Public Health.
Bowling, A.*, Beardslee, W., Davison, K., Haneuse, S., Miller, D.P. (Accepted for publication). Early life stimulant use, physical activity, and BMI trajectory in children with ADHD: A longitudinal analysis of the ECLS-K Study. Obesity. .
Chang, J. & Miller, D.P. (2017). Injuries among school-aged children of immigrants. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. doi:10.1007/s10903-017-0575-7
Miller, D.P. & Chang, J.*, Ha, Y., & Sprague Martinez, L.S. (2016). Longitudinal Trajectories of Child Food Insecurity Among Children of Immigrants. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. doi: 10.1007/s10903-016-0516-x.
Miller, D.P. (2016). Accessibility of summer meals and the food insecurity of low income households with children. Public Health Nutrition, 19(11), 2079-2089. doi: 10.1017/S1368980016000033
Mincy, R.B., Miller, D.P., & De la Cruz, E. (2016). Child support compliance during economic downturns. Children and Youth Services Review, 65, 127-139. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2016.03.018.
Miller, D.P., Larson, M.J., Byrne, T. & Devoe, E. (2016). Food insecurity in veteran households: Findings from nationally representative data. Public Health Nutrition, 19(10), 1731-1740. doi: 10.1017/S1368980015003067
Ha, Y. & Miller, D.P. (2015). Child Care Subsidies and their Impacts on the Employment and Earnings of Low-Income Families. Children and Youth Services Review, 59, 139-148. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.11.003
Miller, D.P. & Chang, J. (2015). Parental work schedules and child overweight or obesity: Does family structure matter? Journal of Marriage and Family, 77(5), 1266-1281. doi: 10.1111/jomf.12215.
Pomeranz, J., & Miller, D.P. (2015). Policies to Promote Healthy Portion Sizes for Children. Appetite, 88, 50-58. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2014.12.003.
Miller, D.P., Nepomnyaschy, L. Garasky, S., & Ibarra, G.L. (2014). Family Structure and Child Food Insecurity. The American Journal of Public Health, 104(7), e70-e76. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302000.
Publications
Bowling, A*., Slavet, J., Miller, D.P., Haneuse, S., Beardslee, W., Davison, K. (In press). Cybercycling effects on classroom behavior in children with behavioral health disorders: A randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics.
Miller, D.P. & Chang, J., Ha, Y., & Sprague Martinez, L.S. (2016). Longitudinal trajectories of child food insecurity among children of immigrants. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10903-016-0516-x.
Miller, D.P., Bazzi, A.R., Allen, H., Salas-Wright, C.P., Martinson, M., Jantz, K., Crevi, K.*, H., Rosenbloom, D. (Accepted for publication). A Social Work Perspective on Policy: Implications for Population Health. The American Journal of Public Health.
Bowling, A.*, Beardslee, W., Davison, K., Haneuse, S., Miller, D.P. (Accepted for publication). Early life stimulant use, physical activity, and BMI trajectory in children with ADHD: A longitudinal analysis of the ECLS-K Study. Obesity. .
Chang, J. & Miller, D.P. (2017). Injuries among school-aged children of immigrants. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. doi:10.1007/s10903-017-0575-7
Miller, D.P. & Chang, J.*, Ha, Y., & Sprague Martinez, L.S. (2016). Longitudinal Trajectories of Child Food Insecurity Among Children of Immigrants. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. doi: 10.1007/s10903-016-0516-x.
Miller, D.P. (2016). Accessibility of summer meals and the food insecurity of low income households with children. Public Health Nutrition, 19(11), 2079-2089. doi: 10.1017/S1368980016000033
Mincy, R.B., Miller, D.P., & De la Cruz, E. (2016). Child support compliance during economic downturns. Children and Youth Services Review, 65, 127-139. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2016.03.018.
Miller, D.P., Larson, M.J., Byrne, T. & Devoe, E. (2016). Food insecurity in veteran households: Findings from nationally representative data. Public Health Nutrition, 19(10), 1731-1740. doi: 10.1017/S1368980015003067
Ha, Y. & Miller, D.P. (2015). Child Care Subsidies and their Impacts on the Employment and Earnings of Low-Income Families. Children and Youth Services Review, 59, 139-148. doi: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.11.003
Miller, D.P. & Chang, J. (2015). Parental work schedules and child overweight or obesity: Does family structure matter? Journal of Marriage and Family, 77(5), 1266-1281. doi: 10.1111/jomf.12215.
Pomeranz, J., & Miller, D.P. (2015). Policies to Promote Healthy Portion Sizes for Children. Appetite, 88, 50-58. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2014.12.003.
Miller, D.P., Nepomnyaschy, L. Garasky, S., & Ibarra, G.L. (2014). Family Structure and Child Food Insecurity. The American Journal of Public Health, 104(7), e70-e76. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302000.
Presentations
Ha, Y., Thomas, M.M.C.*, Byrne, T., & Miller, D.P. Patterns of multiple instability among low-income families with children. Paper presentation, Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management 2017 Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL.
Nepomnyaschy, L., Miller, D.P., Waller, M.R., & Gold, S. The role of fathers in reducing income-based inequalities in children’s behavioral outcomes. Paper presentation, Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management 2017 Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL.
Miller, D.P., Nepomnyaschy, L., Waller, M.R., & Emory, A.D. The minimum wage and fathers’ residence with children. Paper presentation, Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management 2017 Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL.
Morrissey, T. & Miller, D.P. Does SNAP participation affect child and adult health? Using SNAP expansions following the U.S. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as a Natural Experiment. Paper presentation, Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management 2017 International Conference, Brussels, Belgium.
Ha, Y., Miller, D.P., Thomas, M.*, & Byrne, T., Patterns of instability among low-income families with children. Paper presentation, 2017 Annual Meeting of the Population Association of America, Chicago, IL.
Nepomnyaschy, L., Miller, D.P., & Waller, M. The role of fathers in reducing income-based inequalities in children's behavioral outcomes. Poster presentation, 2017 Annual Meeting of the Population Association of America, Chicago, IL.
Miller, D.P., Martinson, M.L., Allen, H.A., & Salas-Wright, C.P. The value-added of a social work policy perspective for population health. Roundtable, 2017 Annual Meeting of the Society for Social Work and Research. New Orleans, L.A.
Miller, D.P. & Morrissey, T. Using variation in state policies to estimate the effects of SNAP on child and adult health. Paper presentation, 2017 Annual Meeting of the Society for Social Work and Research, New Orleans, L.A.
Miller, D.P. & Heflin, C.M. Investigating the impacts of the Community Eligibility Provision on child well-being. Paper presentation, 2016 Annual Meeting of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management, Washington, D.C.
Nepomnyaschy, L., & Miller, D.P. Nonresident father involvement and child obesity. Paper presentation, 2016 Annual Meeting of the Society for Social Work and Research, Washington, D.C.
Miller, D.P. & Chang, J. Longitudinal trajectories of child food insecurity among children of immigrants. Paper presentation, 2016 Annual Meeting of the Society for Social Work and Research, Washington, D.C.
Presentations
Ha, Y., Thomas, M.M.C.*, Byrne, T., & Miller, D.P. Patterns of multiple instability among low-income families with children. Paper presentation, Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management 2017 Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL.
Nepomnyaschy, L., Miller, D.P., Waller, M.R., & Gold, S. The role of fathers in reducing income-based inequalities in children’s behavioral outcomes. Paper presentation, Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management 2017 Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL.
Miller, D.P., Nepomnyaschy, L., Waller, M.R., & Emory, A.D. The minimum wage and fathers’ residence with children. Paper presentation, Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management 2017 Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL.
Morrissey, T. & Miller, D.P. Does SNAP participation affect child and adult health? Using SNAP expansions following the U.S. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act as a Natural Experiment. Paper presentation, Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management 2017 International Conference, Brussels, Belgium.
Ha, Y., Miller, D.P., Thomas, M.*, & Byrne, T., Patterns of instability among low-income families with children. Paper presentation, 2017 Annual Meeting of the Population Association of America, Chicago, IL.
Nepomnyaschy, L., Miller, D.P., & Waller, M. The role of fathers in reducing income-based inequalities in children's behavioral outcomes. Poster presentation, 2017 Annual Meeting of the Population Association of America, Chicago, IL.
Miller, D.P., Martinson, M.L., Allen, H.A., & Salas-Wright, C.P. The value-added of a social work policy perspective for population health. Roundtable, 2017 Annual Meeting of the Society for Social Work and Research. New Orleans, L.A.
Miller, D.P. & Morrissey, T. Using variation in state policies to estimate the effects of SNAP on child and adult health. Paper presentation, 2017 Annual Meeting of the Society for Social Work and Research, New Orleans, L.A.
Miller, D.P. & Heflin, C.M. Investigating the impacts of the Community Eligibility Provision on child well-being. Paper presentation, 2016 Annual Meeting of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management, Washington, D.C.
Nepomnyaschy, L., & Miller, D.P. Nonresident father involvement and child obesity. Paper presentation, 2016 Annual Meeting of the Society for Social Work and Research, Washington, D.C.
Miller, D.P. & Chang, J. Longitudinal trajectories of child food insecurity among children of immigrants. Paper presentation, 2016 Annual Meeting of the Society for Social Work and Research, Washington, D.C.
Grants
2017-2019 Principal Investigator. "Do Policies Affect Father Involvement, and How Much Does Involvement Reduce Inequality in Child Outcomes?" William T. Grant Foundation. (Nepomnyaschy and Waller, co-PIs). $450,000.
2015-2016 Principal Investigator. "Using Natural Experiments to Identify the Impacts of SNAP on Child and Adult Health." United States Department of Agriculture (via University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research; Morrissey, Co-PI) $75,000.
2015-2016 Co-Principal Investigator. "Community Eligibility and Child Well-Being." RIDGE Center for Targeted Studies, Purdue University Center for Regional Development. (PI: Hefflin, University of Missouri). $35,000.
2015-2017 Co-Investigator. "A Data-based Re-design of Health Care and Housing for People who Experience Chronic Homelessness." Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of Massachusetts. (PI: Byrne, Boston University). $147,363.
2013-2014 Principal Investigator. "The Summer Food Service Program and Food Insecurity in Low-Income Households with Children: Evidence from California." RIDGE Center for National Food and Nutrition Assistance Research, Institute for Research on Poverty, University of Wisconsin, Madison. $40,000.
2011-2013 Co-Principal Investigator. Nonresident Fathers' Involvement and Welfare Policies: Impacts on Childhood Hunger." United States Department of Agriculture (via University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research). (PI: Garasky, Iowa State). $250,000.
2007-2009 Principal Investigator. "The Effects of Parental Work on Child Obesity." R36 Dissertation Grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1R36DP001175-01). $23,822.
Grants
2017-2019 Principal Investigator. "Do Policies Affect Father Involvement, and How Much Does Involvement Reduce Inequality in Child Outcomes?" William T. Grant Foundation. (Nepomnyaschy and Waller, co-PIs). $450,000.
2015-2016 Principal Investigator. "Using Natural Experiments to Identify the Impacts of SNAP on Child and Adult Health." United States Department of Agriculture (via University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research; Morrissey, Co-PI) $75,000.
2015-2016 Co-Principal Investigator. "Community Eligibility and Child Well-Being." RIDGE Center for Targeted Studies, Purdue University Center for Regional Development. (PI: Hefflin, University of Missouri). $35,000.
2015-2017 Co-Investigator. "A Data-based Re-design of Health Care and Housing for People who Experience Chronic Homelessness." Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of Massachusetts. (PI: Byrne, Boston University). $147,363.
2013-2014 Principal Investigator. "The Summer Food Service Program and Food Insecurity in Low-Income Households with Children: Evidence from California." RIDGE Center for National Food and Nutrition Assistance Research, Institute for Research on Poverty, University of Wisconsin, Madison. $40,000.
2011-2013 Co-Principal Investigator. Nonresident Fathers' Involvement and Welfare Policies: Impacts on Childhood Hunger." United States Department of Agriculture (via University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research). (PI: Garasky, Iowa State). $250,000.
2007-2009 Principal Investigator. "The Effects of Parental Work on Child Obesity." R36 Dissertation Grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1R36DP001175-01). $23,822.
Professional Activities and Certifications
Editorial Board, Journal of Marriage and Family (2015-present)
Grant Reviewer – University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research – PSID Grant Competition. Lexington, KY. (2017).
Senior Reviewer, Evaluation of the Summer Food Service Program Interim Report (submitted to the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service), Optimal Solutions Group, Washington, D.C. (2017).
Grant Reviewer – Institute for Research on Poverty, RIDGE Center – Small Grants Competition. University of Wisconsin, Madison. (2014-2015).
Abstract Reviewer – Society for Social Work Research Annual Conference (2010-2012; 2014-2016).
Ad hoc reviewer:
American Journal of Public Health
Appetite
BMC Public Health
Child and Family Social Work
Child Development
Child Development Perspectives
Child Maltreatment
Children and Youth Services Review
Demography
Developmental Psychology
Early Childhood Research Quarterly
International Journal of Obesity
International Migration Review
Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)
JAMA Pediatrics
Journal of Family Issues
Journal of Health Economics
Journal of Health and Social Behavior
Journal of Marriage and Family
Journal of Physical Activity and Health
Journal of Research on Adolescence
Pediatrics
Social Science and Medicine
Social Science Research
Social Service Review
Sociological Perspectives
USDA Economic Research Service Technical Bulletin
Professional Activities and Certifications
Editorial Board, Journal of Marriage and Family (2015-present)
Grant Reviewer – University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research – PSID Grant Competition. Lexington, KY. (2017).
Senior Reviewer, Evaluation of the Summer Food Service Program Interim Report (submitted to the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service), Optimal Solutions Group, Washington, D.C. (2017).
Grant Reviewer – Institute for Research on Poverty, RIDGE Center – Small Grants Competition. University of Wisconsin, Madison. (2014-2015).
Abstract Reviewer – Society for Social Work Research Annual Conference (2010-2012; 2014-2016).
Ad hoc reviewer:
American Journal of Public Health
Appetite
BMC Public Health
Child and Family Social Work
Child Development
Child Development Perspectives
Child Maltreatment
Children and Youth Services Review
Demography
Developmental Psychology
Early Childhood Research Quarterly
International Journal of Obesity
International Migration Review
Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)
JAMA Pediatrics
Journal of Family Issues
Journal of Health Economics
Journal of Health and Social Behavior
Journal of Marriage and Family
Journal of Physical Activity and Health
Journal of Research on Adolescence
Pediatrics
Social Science and Medicine
Social Science Research
Social Service Review
Sociological Perspectives
USDA Economic Research Service Technical Bulletin
Awards and Honors
2015 Excellence in Research Award/Best Scholarly Contribution from the Society for Social Work and Research for:
Shin, S.H, Miller, D.P., & Teicher, M. (2013). Exposure to childhood neglect and physical abuse and developmental trajectories of heavy episodic drinking from early adolescence into young adulthood. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 127(1-3), 31-38. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.06.005.
2013 Frank R. Breul Memorial Prize for the best article published in Social Service Review in 2012, for:
Miller, D.P., & Mincy, R.B. (2012). Falling further behind? Child support arrears and fathers' labor force participation. Social Service Review, 86(4), 604-635. doi: 10.1086/668761.
Awards and Honors
2015 Excellence in Research Award/Best Scholarly Contribution from the Society for Social Work and Research for:
Shin, S.H, Miller, D.P., & Teicher, M. (2013). Exposure to childhood neglect and physical abuse and developmental trajectories of heavy episodic drinking from early adolescence into young adulthood. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 127(1-3), 31-38. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.06.005.
2013 Frank R. Breul Memorial Prize for the best article published in Social Service Review in 2012, for:
Miller, D.P., & Mincy, R.B. (2012). Falling further behind? Child support arrears and fathers' labor force participation. Social Service Review, 86(4), 604-635. doi: 10.1086/668761.