Her research examines urban governance, with a focus on the diverse intersections between nonprofit organizations, government bureaucracies, and politics. Her current research projects include: (1) the causes and consequences of spatial inequality in government contracting to nonprofit organizations in New York City; (2) direct dynamics of political patronage and political exchange in a municipal legislature; and (3) the citizenship and financial implications of collaborative governance in child welfare. This work is supported by the National Science Foundation and other funders. Professor Marwell received her PhD in sociology from the University of Chicago.