Eiko Strader is a sociologist who primarily studies gender inequality and public policy. Much of her work tries to understand how and under what conditions gender becomes relevant in predicting life chances across different levels of geographical location. She employs intersectionality-informed multilevel models to examine intersecting sources of inequality, such as race, ethnicity, parenthood and class, while simultaneously analyzing labor market policies or conditions that impact gender inequality.

Her current research agenda can be divided into three broad research fronts that cover: 1) regional wage effects of immigration, 2) marriage and motherhood penalties in the U.S. military, and 3) job performance of ex-felons in the U.S. military. She considers the U.S. military to be an interesting case for studying inequality and public policy because they strongly enforce equal employment opportunity (EEO) policies, operates and subsidizes high-quality childcare, and provides extensive benefits to enlistees and their families.

Dr. Strader aims to produce policy relevant research that contributes to making societies more equitable. Her collaborative work with Jennifer Lundquist (University of Massachusetts Amherst) and Devah Pager (Harvard Kennedy School) examining job performance of ex-felons in the U.S. military has been covered by the Economist, The Washington Post, CBS News and National Public Radio.