Mark Rank is the Herbert S. Hadley Professor of Social Welfare at Washington University in St. Louis.  He is widely recognized as one of the foremost experts in the country on issues of poverty, inequality, and social justice.  His research on the life-time risk of poverty has been groundbreaking, demonstrating for the first time that a majority of Americans will experience poverty at some point during their lives.

To date he has written 10 books on a range of subjects, including an exploration of the American Dream, a new understanding of poverty and inequality, and the role of luck and chance in shaping the course of our lives.  His most recent book is entitled, The Random Factor:  How Chance and Luck Profoundly Shape Our Lives and the World Around Us.   In addition, he has published articles in many academic journals across a wide variety of fields.

Dr. Rank has received numerous awards over the years for his scholarship and books, and his research has been widely reported throughout the national and international news media.  His work has been cited in virtually every major newspaper in the country, frequently in The New York Times and The Washington Post.  He has also been featured in other media outlets including various programs on National Public Radio, NBC, CBS, CNN, PBS, and many others.  In addition, he has provided his research expertise to members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, the White House, and many national organizations involved in issues of economic and social justice.