Menard Speaker Series: Gender, Race, and Earnings: The Effects of Occupational Licensing
Presented by the Institute for the Study of Political Economy (ISPE)
Monday, Jan. 22, 5 p.m. • Whitinger Business 144 (WB 144)
Diana Thomas, PhD • Creighton University
Regulation, while usually well intended, can have detrimental effects on overall economic activity because it creates barriers to entry and hinders economic activity. Heavily regulated economies tend to have lower rates of new firm starts, lower levels of employment, and lower economic growth.
Regulation has been shown to have disproportionately negative effects on low-income households and workers. States with higher levels of regulation tend to have higher levels of poverty.
Does regulation also have negative effects on different genders and races? Dr. Thomas will explore this question by examining effects of occupational licensing on gender and race wage gaps.
Dr. Diana Thomas is an Associate Professor of Economics and Director of the Menard Family Institute for Economic Inquiry at Creighton University. Dr. Thomas’ research explores the unintended consequences of regulation and the role political entrepreneurs play in changing the rules that govern society.
The Institute for the Study of Political Economy (ISPE) at BSU seeks to further our understanding of market, political, and social processes and institutions.
Upcoming:
Frederick Douglass Jazz Works presented by Ruth Naomi Floyd
Thursday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m. • Pruis Hall
Don’t miss a night of illuminating music! Ruth Naomi Floyd presents jazz comprised of her original compositions paired with actual words from the speeches and writings of Frederick Douglass — orator, political activist, abolitionist, writer, ambassador, theologian and statesman.
Frederick Douglass Jazz Works illuminates the themes of tragedy, grief, despair, and injustice of American slavery but through the multi-faceted prism of hope, joy, perseverance, and triumph — all with Frederick Douglass’s own words.
Frederick Douglass Jazz Works is the programming for the 2024 Madam CJ Walker Colloquium. This annual event, presented by the Institute for the Study of Political Economy, explores the relevance of entrepreneurship and free enterprise for the past, present, and future of historically marginalized groups. The Colloquium is named in honor of Madam CJ Walker, the early 20th century African-American beauty products entrepreneur and social activist whose business was headquartered in Indianapolis.