Interdisciplinary Research Portfolio

• Integration of Minorities in Higher Education and Workforce

Following my doctoral research, I expanded my work through several significant studies examining Ultra-Orthodox integration into Israel's general labor market. One landmark study involved 745 Ultra-Orthodox men and women who completed post-secondary education, complemented by four focus groups for in-depth qualitative insights. This research provided comprehensive data on employment integration patterns, highlighting gender disparities and challenges faced by Ultra-Orthodox graduates in the workforce.

Building on this research, I collaborated with the JDC (American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee) to develop typologies of Ultra-Orthodox integration across various economic sectors and evaluate programs designed to enhance integration outcomes. Despite higher employment rates and wages among Ultra-Orthodox graduates compared to their non-academic peers, significant occupational and social gaps remain between these graduates and the general labor market. This work directly influenced policy planning for the Council for Higher Education's five-year plan for Ultra-Orthodox integration in academia.

My collaborative research with Prof. Orna Braun-Lewensohn and Dr. Sara Abu-Kaf has further expanded to examine factors that promote optimal labor market integration among both Ultra-Orthodox and Bedouin women graduates. With funding from the Ministry of Science, this research investigates integration factors from both the perspective of the women themselves and their employers, providing a nuanced understanding of workplace diversity management and integration strategies for minority groups.

In a related line of inquiry, my colleagues and I investigated how professional communities support Ultra-Orthodox women's occupational advancement and personal well-being. Through content analysis and interviews, we found that these communities significantly contribute to five key personality strengths: positivity, engagement, positive relationships, meaning, and success. These communities also strengthen relationships between the general Israeli society and the Ultra-Orthodox community while enhancing job satisfaction.

• Cultural Adaptation of Public Health Messages and Preventive Medicine

During the COVID-19 pandemic, my research took on additional relevance as I collaborated with colleagues to examine factors affecting health policy formulation for minority populations in Israel. This work resulted in three published articles examining different dimensions of culturally-tailored health communication.

The first study evaluated approaches to transmitting health messages during crises among the Ultra-Orthodox and Arab populations, revealing significant differences in effective communication channels and message reception between these groups. We found that advocacy based on cultural values paired with recognition of cultural differences was most effective for gaining compliance with health guidelines among minority groups.

The second article examined how hope and sense of coherence serve as resilience factors reducing emotional distress during chronic stress situations like a pandemic. The third study identified factors affecting anger and emotional distress during COVID-19, highlighting the importance of personal resilience and trust in leadership for citizens' mental health.

This research has informed an ongoing project with Prof. Udi Nissan of the Hebrew University, focusing on promoting preventive medicine among traditionalist populations in Israel. Specifically, we are investigating approaches to increase participation in cancer screening tests (occult blood tests and mammograms) among women over 50 in populations with low testing rates. The study, conducted in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and a major Israeli health fund, aims to develop a model for policies that expand preventive medicine use among conservative populations.

• Pension Systems and Retirement Planning

Another significant research direction examines retirement planning and pension systems, with particular attention to minorities and disadvantaged populations. In collaboration with Prof. Rami Yosef and Dr Shenhav Malul from Ben-Gurion University, I am studying how to expand pension insurance coverage through redistribution of tax incentives to reduce poverty and inequality among the elderly in Israel. This research addresses both individual financial planning and state-level policy, particularly relevant given increasing life expectancy.

The findings provide important socio-economic insights that can help diminish retirement-age poverty through more equitable distribution of pension-related tax incentives. This work is especially important because many individuals lack adequate knowledge about pension systems and are unaware of existing inequalities in tax incentives.

My future research in this area includes a comprehensive three-phase investigation into retirement transitions, conducted in collaboration with scholars from multiple Israeli academic institutions. The project will examine psychological implications of retirement, cultural aspects of retirement literacy among various Israeli populations, and potential modifications to pension-savings policies with the aim of influencing legislation.

• Environmental Policy and Sustainable Practices in Conservative Communities

My research has recently expanded to investigate environmental policy implementation in minority communities, specifically examining plastic recycling and reducing disposable utensil use within Ultra-Orthodox communities. Working with Dr. Chen Cohen and Dr. Einav Fridman, these studies serve as case studies for developing culturally-adapted models of environmental policy that could be applied to other minority groups.

A particularly innovative project currently nearing completion focuses on electricity demand management within Israel's Ultra-Orthodox community. This research investigates consumption patterns and their determinants, analyzing the geographic and demographic variables that influence demand. By exploring methodologies for implementing demand-side management within this community while respecting its cultural, religious, and social characteristics, this work contributes to addressing economic, environmental, and infrastructure challenges related to energy use.

• Evidence-Informed Policymaking in Divided Societies

Another important research direction explores evidence-informed policymaking (EIPM) in Israel's complex political and cultural context. Despite increasing recognition of EIPM's importance, implementing it remains challenging, particularly in divided societies like Israel where policymaking is influenced by social divisions and arrangements aimed at preventing societal rifts.

Working with Dr. Moriah Elen, this mixed-methods study aims to identify barriers and facilitators for EIPM in Israel, compare these factors across health and welfare systems, and analyze the relevance of existing EIPM models. The research involves a systematic literature review, situational analysis, in-depth interviews, and a quantitative survey of researchers and policymakers. The findings will contribute to developing a model for evidence-informed policy in Israel and potentially institutionalizing EIPM practices.

• Comparative and International Research

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, I began a comparative study at The Taub Center for Israel Studies, New York University, examining academic integration of Ultra-Orthodox communities in Israel and New York. This research, to be resumed next year, will compare government policies toward these segregated communities regarding budgeting and curricula, further enriching our understanding of how different societies address similar challenges of integrating minority groups into higher education.

Future Research Directions

Looking ahead, my research agenda will continue to focus on developing culturally-appropriate policies for minority groups, with three main directions:

• Retirement and Pension Policy: The comprehensive three-phase study mentioned earlier will examine psychological, cultural, and policy aspects of retirement transitions, with potential international comparative elements through collaboration with German researchers.
• Energy Consumption and Microgrids: Building on current work on electricity consumption patterns, future research will explore establishing energy-storage systems, using Ultra-Orthodox communities as a test case for microgrids in Israel. This research addresses critical challenges in energy sustainability through culturally-sensitive approaches.
• Public Health in Conservative Communities: Continued research on preventive medicine and health communication among traditionalist populations will further develop models for effective health interventions that respect cultural values while improving health outcomes.

Professional Activities and Research Significance

In addition to my research activities, I serve as a member of the International Relations Committee and am affiliated with the School of Sustainability and Climate Change at Ben-Gurion University, allowing me to build important connections between my research on minority communities and broader sustainability initiatives.

My research portfolio represents a coherent body of work focused on developing interdisciplinary, culturally-responsive public policies for minority groups in Israel. By bringing together perspectives from public policy, psychology, sociology, economics, and management, this work offers comprehensive insights into the complex challenges of integrating conservative communities into modern society while respecting their cultural integrity.

The findings from these studies have directly informed policy development, including the Council for Higher Education's five-year plan for Ultra-Orthodox integration in academia and health communication strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. This applied impact demonstrates the practical significance of research that bridges theoretical understanding with policy implementation.

By focusing on both Ultra-Orthodox and Bedouin Arab communities, my research provides comparative perspectives on minority integration challenges across different cultural contexts within Israel. This comparative approach strengthens the generalizability of findings while acknowledging the unique characteristics of each community.

The interdisciplinary nature of this work, involving collaborations with researchers from psychology, economics, management, public health, and other fields, reflects the complex, multifaceted nature of the policy challenges addressed. These collaborations ensure that research outputs consider diverse perspectives and methodological approaches, enhancing their robustness and applicability.

Through continued focus on these research directions, I aim to further develop theoretical frameworks and practical approaches that facilitate the successful integration of minority groups into broader society while respecting their cultural values and traditions. This balance between cultural preservation and societal integration remains a critical challenge for diverse societies worldwide, making this research relevant beyond the Israeli context.