Dr. Hermsen teaches courses on social inequalities and families and work. Her current research focuses on food insecurity and food pantry use, social consequences of delayed parenthood, and young adult attitudes related to covid-19. In addition, Dr. Hermsen has done extensive applied survey research design and analysis work on a range of topics including food insecurity (US Dept of Agriculture), crime victimization (MO State Highway Patrol), conservation attitudes (MO Dept of Conservation), and the financial wellbeing of pastors (MO United Methodist Foundation).