People

Melody HarveyAssistant Professor

I am a social scientist who draws on policy analysis, economics, and human ecology to study how public policies affect financial capability, financial decisions, and financial well-being among economically vulnerable populations. I seek to understand what is needed in public policy through which mechanisms to improve their financial health. Currently, my research primarily focuses on the effect of K-16 financial education policies on the financial outcomes of youth and young adults across different socioeconomic groups. My research also examines heterogeneities in consumer policy implementation and explores the role of financial regulations on accessing alternative financial services.


Recent press

Alternative financial services in the time of coronavirusQrius, June 1, 2020


Publications

Harvey, Melody. 2019. “Impact of Financial Education Mandates on Younger Consumers’ Use of Alternative Financial Services.” Journal of Consumer Affairs 53, no. 3: 731-769. https://doi.org/10.1111/joca.12242

Classes Taught

  • Course number: CNSR SCI 275: Course title: Consumer Finance
  • Course number: CNSR SCI 579: Course title: Consumer Policy Analysis
Portrait of Dr. Melody Harvey, a Black woman sitting legs crossed, wearing a navy blue sweater and skirt and an ivory shirt.

Department

  • Consumer Science

Degree Program

  • PhD Human Ecology: Consumer Behavior and Family Economics

Affiliations

  • Center for Financial Security
  • Center for Demography and Ecology
  • Institute for Research on Poverty
  • La Follette School of Public Affairs

Education

  • PhD, Policy Analysis, Pardee RAND Graduate School
  • MPP, Pepperdine University
  • BA, Economics, Reed College

Contact

Office: 4228 Nancy Nicholas Hall

Phone: 608-262-9213

Email: maharvey3@wisc.edu

Websites: