Researcher Spotlights are Q&As that shine a light on School of Human Ecology faculty members’ unique scholarship and research interests. David J. Pate Jr. is an associate professor of Consumer Science and Human Development & …
Consumer Science
Eight faculty members receive promotions, named appointments
Several faculty members who recently received promotions and named appointments will return to campus this fall with added distinction. Larissa Duncan and Kevin Ponto were promoted to professor, and Margaret Kerr, David J. Pate Jr. …
One product, so many prices: Unit price, list price, ‘MSRP.’ Which one matters at the checkout? (CNN, Yahoo! Finance, AOL News and several other media outlets; Hensen)
Laura Hensen, executive director of the Kohl’s Center for Retailing, is quoted about the reason retailers may choose to display a unit price, list price or “MSRP” (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) for a product.
In the news: Human ecologists share insights to improve public understanding of key issues
At the core of Human Ecology’s work is improving the quality of life of all people. In 2023, faculty and graduate students published research findings that are enhancing our understanding of key societal issues, from …
A year in pictures: Human Ecology in 2023
Story by Maddie Kranz x’24, a UW–Madison student studying Community & Nonprofit Leadership and Art History. So much to celebrate! Human Ecology kicked off 2023 with two of our majors landing on the list of …
Holiday shopping season is a critical time for Madison-area store owners (Wisconsin State Journal; Robb)
Department Chair and Professor of Consumer Science Cliff Robb discusses the importance of the holiday shopping season for businesses big and small, especially in the face of inflation and cost of living increases.
Focusing on experiences rather than things this holiday season (Channel 3000; Whelan)
Consumer Science teaching faculty member Christine Whelan describes ways people can find more fulfillment while participating in the holiday shopping season, including spending money on experiences and putting emphasis on spending time with loved ones.
When Parents and Kids Both Have Student Loans (The Wall Street Journal; Robb)
Department Chair and Professor of Consumer Science Cliff Robb is quoted about what he calls “generational indebtedness” when multiple generations of a family owe money on student loans, which he says can create a feeling of despair.
‘I felt betrayed’: Health influencers are gaining notoriety for lies and lawsuits over deceptive marketing and claims that are too good to be true (Bloomberg, Fortune, Miami Herald and several other media outlets; Whelan)
Consumer Science teaching faculty member Christine Whelan is quoted about the largely unregulated nature of the wellness industry, saying that it’s often hard to tell whether an influencer is being deceptive or a product just doesn’t work for a particular person. Whelan said she expects more lawsuits against influencers and that updated Federal Trade Commission guidelines are a “warning flag” for the industry.
Rockabetty’s is closing as some Madison salons struggle with hiring, rising rents (Wisconsin State Journal; Wong)
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.