I am an Assistant Professor of Consumer Science studying consumer finance and financial well-being. My research is motivated by a desire to understand the causes and consequences of socioeconomic and financial inequality, particularly in the American context. For this work, I bring a sociological perspective informed by law, economics, and geography to examine a range of topics. Recent research topics include financial security among young adults and consumer access to financial services in communities.
Select publications
Doherty Bea, Megan and Youngmin Yi. “Leaving the Financial Nest: Connecting Young Adults’ Financial Independence to Financial Security.” Journal of Marriage and Family 81(2): 397 – 414. (doi:10.1111/jomf.12553.)
Doherty Bea, Megan. “Racial and Ethnic Differences in Consumers’ Economic Expectations.” Socius: Sociological Research for a Dynamic World 5: 1 – 17. (doi: 10.1177/2378023118815270.)
Musick, Kelly, Megan Doherty Bea, and Pilar Gonalons-Pons. “His and Her Work and Earnings Following Parenthood in the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom.” American Sociological Review. (doi: 10.1177/0003122420934430)
Classes Taught
- Course number: CNSR SCI 273: Course title: Finances and Families
- Course number: CNSR SCI 301: Course title: Advanced Consumer Analytics
Department
- Consumer Science
Degree Program
- PhD Human Ecology: Consumer Behavior and Family Economics
Affiliations
- Faculty Affiliate, Department of Human Development and Family Studies
- Center for Financial Security
- Center for Demography and Ecology
- Faculty Affiliate, Department of Sociology
- Institute for Research on Poverty
Education
- PhD, Sociology, Cornell University
- MA, Sociology, Cornell University
- BA, Economics and French, Bryn Mawr College
Contact
Office: 4222 Nancy Nicholas Hall
Phone: 608-263-2199
Email: mbea@wisc.edu
Websites:
Social media: