Dania Francis Awarded 2018 Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship

Dania Francis, assistant professor of economics and Afro-American studies, has been selected to receive a National Academy of Education / Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship, which was created to encourage outstanding scholars at the postdoctoral level to pursue critical education research projects. 

The $70,000 awards support non-residential postdoctoral proposals that make significant scholarly contributions to the field of education.

UMass Economics in the News

  • Research by Gerald Friedman, economics, was used as a basis for a bill calling for a single-payer healthcare system in New York State, which was recently passed by the state Assembly and has moved on to the state Senate for consideration. (New Rochelle Patch, Healthcare Purchasing News, 6/16/18)

There is continued national news coverage of the analysis done by Gerald C. Friedman, economics, on what would happen to the U.S. economy if Bernie Sanders’ proposals for spending, single-payer healthcare and tax policy were adopted. A number of left-leaning economists are challenging Friedman’s analysis. Other commentators note that Sanders’ plans call for increased government spending that could spur economic growth. There is also an opinion piece by Friedman and Mark Paul, a graduate student in economics, about why Sanders and his policies are appealing to young voters, especially African-American students.  (CNN Money, Slate, Dallas Morning News, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Dollars and Sense, 2/24/16)