Kelsie Chesnut works as a principal research associate with Vera's Unlocking Potential and Opening Doors initiatives where her research has focused on expanding access to postsecondary education in prison, increasing economic mobility among formerly incarcerated people and connecting people returning to their communities with housing.  Her research has also focused on solitary confinement reform, improving conditions of confinement, and reentry program evaluation. Kelsie holds a BA in sociology and criminal justice from San Francisco State University, and an MA in social ecology and a PhD in criminology, law and society from University of California, Irvine.