The focus of my research is on how equity in government legislation and budget documents affect its citizens. I examine governmental budgets and financial documents to determine how redistribution of benefits differs between the races. I investigate how individual governmental policies, budgets, legislation, ordinances, and resolutions are administered to citizens based on their respective race. Work on disparities in access to credit for economic activities based on race. Overall, I examine structural racism in government actions and policies. As well as the inequities in the effects of these policies on citizens based on their race and gender.
Merlene-Patrice Bourdeau Quispe is a President’s Postdoctoral Fellow in the leadership and management area at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Her research interests include examining truth and integrity in budgets, especially at the state, county and municipal levels; examining the performance of local governments in execution of their budgets; and furthering the research in performance budgeting by examining if adherence to best practices as recommended by budgetary institutions does, in fact, lead to desired outcomes expressed by citizens. Quispe's work experience includes serving in multiple fiscal positions at the municipal level. She also has worked internationally as a microfinance expert for USAID and the United Nations in multiple countries, including the United States, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Peru, Burkina Faso, Morocco and Kenya. Quispe earned her PhD in Public Affairs from Florida International University. She holds a master’s degree from New York University, and a bachelor’s degree from York College.