Professor of Consumer Science Nancy Wong discusses the pandemic’s impact on local economies, specifically on Madison hair salons. She describes how the pandemic encouraged a shift toward doing things yourself, which greatly impacted the service industry.
Consumer Science
‘It has to be an event’: Does ‘Barbenheimer’ signal a return to movie theaters? (Wisconsin Public Radio; Whelan)
Consumer Science teaching faculty member Christine Whelan is quoted about the resurging popularity of going to the movie theater, as well as the appeal and importance of taking a new look at prominent figures from history and popular culture.
Human Ecology welcomes new faculty and instructional staff
We are excited to welcome eight new faculty and three new instructional staff to campus this fall. Each department will add at least two faculty or instructional staff members, bringing a wealth of expertise and …
Annual Junior Scholars Intensive Training celebrates fifth year at UW–Madison
Story by Maddie Kranz x’24, UW–Madison student studying Community & Nonprofit Leadership and Art History Earlier this summer, UW–Madison and Howard University once again brought together leading and emerging scholars to help solve problems related …
Researcher Spotlights: Yiwei Zhang, Consumer Science assistant professor
Researcher Spotlights are Q&As that shine a light on School of Human Ecology faculty members’ unique scholarship and research interests. Yiwei Zhang is an assistant professor of Consumer Science. She is an applied microeconomist who …
Madison project helps Black women gain financial literacy, wealth (Wisconsin State Journal; Halpern-Meekin and Harvey)
Human Development & Family Studies Professor Sarah Halpern-Meekin and Consumer Science Assistant Professor Melody Harvey discuss how racial disparities in wealth accumulation are systemic and have long-lasting consequences that prevent people from building financial safety nets.
Round Table: JFC’s Decision To Slash UW DEI Funding (WORT; J. Michael Collins)
Consumer Science Professor J. Michael Collins offers his opinions and expertise in this round table on the Joint Finance Committee’s decision in mid-June 2023 to slash $32 million dollars from the UW System’s budget — about the same as what the system spends on diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Looking for Connection in a Culture of Busyness (Next Avenue; Whelan)
Consumer Science teaching faculty member Christine Whelan discusses the American culture of busyness and how we might break out of a “loneliness loop” by simply spending more time with one another.
St. Vincent de Paul offers microloans to compete with payday lenders (The Cap Times; Harvey)
Consumer Science Assistant Professor Melody Harvey provides context about payday loans and how borrowers use them. Harvey also explains the potential effects of St. Vincent de Paul’s microloan program.
At least 17 states require students to study financial literacy. Why doesn’t Wisconsin? (The Badger Project; Harvey)
Assistant Professor Melody Harvey describes how financial literacy classes may benefit students, as well as the larger economy. Harvey also explains why schools may choose to not offer financial literacy courses. Also shared by the Wausau Pilot & Review, Point/Plover Metro Wire, the Milton Courier, and Urban Milwaukee.