The School of Human Ecology is excited to welcome four new faculty and three new instructional staff members to campus this fall. These scholars and lecturers bring interdisciplinary expertise in areas like sustainable design, social …
Consumer Science
Celebrating Fall Research Competition recipients as 2024 application opens
The Fall Research Competition, offered by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, is a chance for UW–Madison faculty members to receive vital funding support for research projects. Applications for the 2024 competition are …
Researcher Spotlights: David J. Pate Jr. on the importance of considering policy when examining people’s behavior
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 & …
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.