Dartmouth Events

Lecture on Inequality, Discrimination, and Opportunity

“Why Economists Model Race and Discrimination Incorrectly.” - William E. Spriggs, Howard University

Tuesday, October 18, 2022
5:00pm – 6:00pm
006 Steele
Intended Audience(s): Public
Categories: Lectures & Seminars

The Department of Economics is pleased to sponsor this lecture series to deepen Dartmouth students' understanding of the role of inequality, discrimination, and opportunity in society and to highlight how economics can increase our understanding of these phenomena and inform policy responses.

“Why Economists Model Race and Discrimination Incorrectly.”

Abstract:

The presentation examines the origins of modern economists' concept of race and then presents clear examples of the complexity of discrimination.

William E. Spriggs is a professor in, and former Chair of, the Department of Economics at Howard University and serves as Chief Economist to the AFL-CIO.  In his role with the AFL-CIO he chairs the Economic Policy Working Group for the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and serves on the board of the National Bureau of Economic Research.  He is currently, the president-elect of the Labor Employment Research Association, and serves as the Vice Chair of the Board of MDC Inc (Durham, NC).  He serves on the Advisory Boards of WorkRise (of the Urban Institute) and the Opportunity and Inclusive Growth Institute of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. 

From 2009 to 2012, Bill was appointed by President Obama, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, to serve as Assistant Secretary for the Office of Policy at the United States Department of Labor.  Some of Bill’s previous work experience includes roles leading economic policy development and research at the Economic Policy Institute; as Executive Director for the Institute for Opportunity and Equality of the National Urban League; as an Economist for the Democratic staff of the Joint Economic Committee of Congress; and, as staff director for the independent, federal National Commission for Employment Policy. 

Co-Sponsored with: The Rockefeller Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences | SHARE (The School House Anti-Racism Experience) | Sadie Alexander Association

For more information, contact:
Kristine Timlake

Events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.