Michael Sherraden

About the Author

Michael Sherraden is a pioneering scholar in social policy and economics, renowned for his innovative ideas on asset-building as a pathway to economic security for low-income families. A professor emeritus at Washington University in St. Louis, where he founded the Center for Social Development, Sherraden has dedicated his career to challenging traditional welfare paradigms and advocating for policies that promote wealth accumulation among the disadvantaged. His seminal work, Assets and the Poor: New American Welfare Policy, introduced the concept of Individual Development Accounts, influencing global discussions on poverty alleviation and financial inclusion. Through rigorous research and practical initiatives, Sherraden continues to shape progressive approaches to social welfare, emphasizing empowerment over mere income support.