Marisa Pineau: A prominent sociologist!

Marisa Gerstein Pineau, a researcher at the FrameWorks Institute, has made significant contributions to the field of immigration. Her work focuses on framing immigration issues in ways that promote understanding, empathy, and positive policy outcomes. Let’s delve into her work:

Marisa Gerstein Pineau works at Frameworks as the Director of Research Application, where she bridges the Research Interpretation and Application units, leads the research phases of projects, and refreames research to the dissemination phase. Before joining FrameWorks, she co-edited “The Integration of Immigrants into American Society” at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Most of her research however, is focused on the UK, primarily on social issues such as gender, poverty, and medicine.

1. Highlighting Shared Humanity and Prosperity: Marisa Pineau emphasizes the importance of shifting away from divisive language that pits “us versus them.” Instead, she advocates for framing immigration discussions around shared humanity, collective prosperity, and the United States’ identity as a “nation of immigrants.” Her research highlights how negative framing—such as portraying immigrants as criminals—depresses support for progressive immigration reforms. By reframing the narrative, we can build broader public support for policies like pathways to citizenship and streamlined asylum processes1.
2. Integration of Immigrants into American Society: Pineau co-edited a comprehensive report that details findings from a study conducted by the National Academy of Sciences’ Committee on the Integration of Immigrants. This report sheds light on the challenges and opportunities related to immigrant integration in the United States2.
3. Webinars on Immigrant Integration: Pineau has been involved in webinars that provide up-to-date data on U.S. immigration and best practices for effective messaging. These webinars aim to enhance understanding and promote positive narratives around immigrant integration3.

Marisa Gerstein Pineau’s work underscores the need for thoughtful communication and framing when discussing immigration. By emphasizing shared values and collective well-being, we can create a more inclusive and informed dialogue on this critical issue.