Research

My deep interest in processes and mechanisms of inequality is what led me to the field of sociology. Thus far, both as a graduate student and now a postdoc, I have studied inequalities associated with economic insecurity, job loss and precarious work, foreclosure and eviction, and food insecurity. In studying these topics, I frequently leverage spatial variation and/or crisis events as a tool for better understanding core processes. My focus on vulnerable populations is clearly linked to my interest in inequality. Within the topic domains noted above, I have investigated workplace inequality dynamics among older adults, the economic well-being of minoritized racial/ethnic groups and the poor, and potential intersections and vulnerabilities surrounding multiple statuses. Finally, in work tied to my current postdoctoral position, I have been interrogating the consequences of inequality for the health and well-being of people and communities, particularly as it relates to the disparate impacts of climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the affordable housing crisis.

Methodologically, I leverage a wide range of question-driven techniques, and I use primary, secondary, and administrative quantitative and qualitative data. I also have extensive experience conducting locally embedded, community-engaged research and producing public-facing sociological content, in addition to academic manuscripts. Further, I am skilled in working across disciplinary boundaries to develop innovative approaches to studying pressing social problems through my postdoctoral experience working within a multi-disciplinary research unit. 

Peer-Reviewed Publications (*graduate student; +community partner)

Drake, Alexandria J.*, Lora A. Phillips, Brajesh Karna, Shakthi Bharathi Murugesan*, Lily K. Villa*, and Nathan A. Smith+. 2022. “Food Insecurity and Disasters: Predicting Disparities in Total and First-Time Food Pantry Visits During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Food Security Dec. 24: 1-12.

Villa, Lily K.*, Shakthi Bharathi Murugesan*, Lora A. Phillips, Alexandria J. Drake*, and Nathan A. Smith+. 2022. “Mobile Pantries Can Serve the Most Food Insecure Populations.” Health Equity 6(1): 49-54.

Phillips, Lora A., Patricia Solís, Chuyuan Wang, Katsiaryna Varfalameyeva*, and Janice Burnett+. 2021. “Engaged Convergence Research: An Exploratory Approach to Heat Resilience in Mobile Homes.” The Professional Geographer 73(4): 619-631.

Lopez, Steven and Lora A. Phillips. 2019. “Unemployed: White Collar Job Searching after the Great Recession.” Work and Occupations 46(4): 470-510.

Restifo, Salvatore J., Vincent J. Roscigno, and Lora A. Phillips. 2019. “Racial/Ethnic Hierarchy & Urban Labor Market Inequality: Four Poignant Historical Cases.” City & Community 18(2): 662-688.

Dwyer, Rachel E. and Lora A. Phillips Lassus. 2015. “The Great Risk Shift and Precarity in the U.S. Housing Market.” The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 660(1): 119-216.

Lassus, Lora A. Phillips. 2015. “Over the Hill, Under Siege: Labor Force Graying, Labor Market Pushes, and Consequences for Life Chances.” Sociology Compass 9(9): 814-827. 

Lassus, Lora A. Phillips, Steven Lopez, and Vincent J. Roscigno. 2015. “Aging Workers and the Experience of Job Loss.” Research in Social Stratification and Mobility 41: 81-91.

For Manuscripts Under Review and additional professional research experience, please view my CV.

Other Research Products (*graduate student; +community partner)

Feed Phoenix+, Lily Villa*, and Lora A. Phillips. 2022. Maricopa County Unsheltered Resources Guide. Web-based application. Phoenix, AZ: Feed Phoenix.

Varfalameyeva, Katsiaryna*, Patricia Solís, Lora A. Phillips, Elisha Charley*, David M. Hondula, and Mark Kear. 2021. Heat Mitigation Solutions Guide for Mobile Homes. Resilience Briefings Series. Tempe, AZ: Knowledge Exchange for Resilience, Arizona State University.

Phillips, Lora A.,Brajesh Karna, Shelley Morgan+, Patricia Solís, and Elizabeth A. Wentz. 2021. LIHEAP Disbursements to Vendors and At-Risk Populations in Arizona. Resilience Briefings Series: Shelter and Housing. Tempe, AZ: Knowledge Exchange for Resilience, Arizona State University.

Lemar, Shea, Lora A. Phillips, and Patricia Solís. 2021. Visualization: Maricopa County Evictions Dashboard. Resilience Data Dashboard Series. Tempe, AZ: Knowledge Exchange for Resilience, Arizona State University.

Praharaj, Sarbeswar, Carter Wang, Lora A. Phillips, Patricia Solís, and Crystal Alvarez. 2020. Visualization: Economic Resilience Dashboard. Resilience Data Dashboard Series. Tempe, AZ: Knowledge Exchange for Resilience, Arizona State University.