By Amanda Mlekush
Social Work Professor Dr. Leah Hamilton, nationally recognized for her universal basic income research work, has been selected as the inaugural Beaver Endowed Professor for the College of Health Sciences.
The Beaver Endowed Professor program was established by BCHS Dean Marie Huff, PhD, in 2025 as a way to recognize outstanding faculty research and mentorship. Tenured college faculty may apply for the three-year award, which provides a $13,000 annual stipend. The professorship will be awarded each year and is selected by a research leadership committee.
“Health Sciences faculty continue elevating the research they’re doing to improve the health of individuals, communities, and regions. As a college, we wanted to find another way to recognize and fund this impactful work,” said Huff. “Leah’s work demonstrates how a universal basic income can reduce poverty and change the social determinants of well-being. In addition to being nationally recognized as an expert on this topic, she has been a tremendous mentor to App State students and other faculty.”
Prior to establishing the Beaver Professorship, the college had two endowed professorships:
- The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Distinguished Professor, established in 2017 and awarded to Dr. Gail Donaldson, chair of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences; and
- The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Distinguished Professor of Public Health, established in 2021 and awarded to Dr. Martie Thompson, a Public Health professor
“I’m honored to be named the inaugural Beaver Endowed Professor and grateful to Dean Huff and the Beaver family for supporting research that advances well-being,” Hamilton said. “As a former foster care social worker, I witnessed how often families were failed by systems and policies when what they truly needed was simply enough money to meet their needs. My research and that of others show that direct, unconditional cash helps families address their priorities, improving every social determinant of health—from food and housing stability to education and mental well-being. As a faculty member, I’m privileged to mentor future social workers in evidence-based approaches that also honor the lived expertise of those we serve.”
About Hamilton and App State’s Family Economic Policy Lab
Over the past 12 years, Hamilton has secured more than $5.5 million ($3.5 million currently) in external research funding from organizations such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Pew Charitable Trusts, and the Jain Family Institute.
She has written 33 peer-reviewed articles, two books, and presented her work at 59 conferences. In addition, she has been interviewed on the topic and quoted in major media outlets such as the New York Times, National Public Radio, and Forbes, and has been cited in the United States President’s Economic Report.
In addition to her work as a professor in the Department of Social Work at App State, Hamilton holds a faculty affiliate appointment at Washington University in St. Louis, is a senior fellow at the Jain Family Institute, and research fellow at the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness.
Hamilton established the Family Economic Policy Lab at App State in 2023 and has published with 18 students and 38 interdisciplinary faculty on projects in St. Louis, Atlanta, New York, Colorado and Western North Carolina.
GiveDirectly WNC was established in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene across Western North Carolina, and included an emergency cash relief program, providing direct, no-strings-attached payments to low-income residents to help with recovery and well-being. Other projects in Georgia (In Her Hands), in New York (HudsonUP) and in the City of St. Louis have provided direct cash transfers to low-income families; the Colorado Affordability Tax Credit funds a child tax credit for families with children younger than 17.
What is Universal Basic Income?
According to the FEPL, Universal Basic Income, or UBI, is a proposed cash transfer initiative that is:
Universal: All citizens would receive payments regardless of economic status. Additionally, they would be unconditional, meaning there would be no other limitations, such as work requirements.
Basic: The payment amount would be enough to provide basic necessities for individuals or households.
Income: The cash payment would be continuous and recurring.
Many proposed UBI structures vary based on the amount and payment intervals. There are also many different proposals for implementing a UBI, whether through existing tax credits, in place of current safety net programs, or as an entirely new program.
The website also cites that research from several decades indicates positive outcomes such as (Hasdell, 2020):
An overall decrease in poverty
Little to no effect on the labor market
Improved school enrollment and attendance among children
Improved physical and mental well-being
Woman smiles and holds a sign that says Inaugural Beaver Professor
Dr. Leah Hamilton is the college's first Beaver Professor