In times of crisis, we need to be resilient, we need determination to get us through it, creativity to find new solutions, and innovation to make our ideas reality. Yesterday, UNU-MERIT and Maastricht University allowed me to do something unprecedented in their history – defend online. As I was preparing for my in-person defense, the …
Populist Antisemitism is Back
I moved to Europe from NYC during the Golden age of the Obama administration. I never felt scared or concerned to share that I was part Jewish. It is a cultural facet of my life as I am an atheist. My mom rarely celebrated the customs and being Jewish was just something where we ate …
The End of Theory?
We are living in the age of big data - I'm sure you are well aware of this as we check our hearts rate on our fitbits, let spotify pick our music mix and netflix recommend the next series to binge watch. With infinite data, we may ask ourselves, what's the point of theory? Will …
Research Agenda: Labor in the Age of AI
At the crossroads of innovation and labor, the current discussion has mostly centered around two points of interest: Will there be any jobs for people in the future? (ie can/will capital displace labor completely?) How does new technology impact of the demand of skills? (SBTC increasing inequality, replacement of routine work by tech, increase in …
On Racism in America
For the past few days, I haven't been able to sleep very well. Charlottesville and activism have been in my mind for days. What happened is, frankly, not surprising. Rather, I found it terrifying and disappointing. I have been reading, listening and watching over these past days. Last night I watched the unfinished manuscript by …
Unequal Pay: What Now for the Haves & Have Nots
Minimum wage occupations, which compose 24% of the entire workforce, will not see a rise in their income unless minimum wage increases. Shouldn't these individuals, who care for your loved ones, deserve decent pay? Let's push for fair pay for all. Let's ensure that if you have a job, you can earn enough to be independent and secure. …
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Unequal Pay: Wage Distribution within Jobs
We're underpaying the builders of America, the jobs that we once believed were the foundation of our economy. The story of 3 distributions There once were three types of jobs: High, Medium and Low paid occupations. The BLS publishes data on the distribution of wages within occupations (all 2014 data presented here). What naturally emerges are …
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Free Community College! Serving whose interests?
Currently, there is a total of 1.2 trillion student debt in the USA which is higher than auto, personal credit cards, home equity or even mortgage debt. As the largest debt market, it is spiraling in the direction of home mortgage fate: uncontrollable high default rates. Last week, President Obama announced a plan to provide free …
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Education for the few
Low income students, even if they are high achievers, do not get the tools of an affordable education to build a life of prosperity, not only for themselves, but for the country as a whole. Income inequality, yet again, reinforces missed opportunities. Economists, policy makers and Americans agree that education brings forward opportunity. If a child …
Born in the wrong decade?
We should also ask ourselves, what is the potential affect on our economy by having a generation plagued by financial strain? The Federal Reserve Board recently published their 2013 survey on consumer finance. It highlights the financial health of families across the United States including income, wealth, debt and education. Most (un)surprisingly, were the results …
