Contact Info

University of Massachusetts Amherst
Department of Economics
Thompson Hall
Amherst, MA 01003

Nancy Folbre

Professor of Economics, University of Massachusetts Amherst

Nancy Folbre’s work explores the interface between economics and feminist theory, focusing on non-market work and the evolution of social institutions governing public support for childrearing. She was a visiting fellow at the Russell Sage Foundation (2004-05), was awarded a MacArthur Foundation “genius” Fellowship and won the Leontief Prize of the Global Development and Environment Institute, Tufts University, 2004. She serves as associate editor of the journal Feminist Economics. Folbre received her bachelor’s degree in philosophy and her master’s degree in Latin American studies from the University of Texas and her doctorate in economics from the University of Massachusetts.

Issues: Economic Theory, Economy and Gender, Family/Medical leave, Jobs, Labor Force, Living Wage, OSHA, Retirement, Unemployment Insurance, Unions

Experience:

• Adjunct Professor, Social and Political Theory Program, Research School of Social Sciences, Australian National University, 2003-2007
• Chair, Department of Economics, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2003-2004
• Staff Economist, Center for Popular Economics, 1980-present

Education:

Ph.D., Economics, University of Massachusetts, 1979
M.A., Latin American Studies, University of Texas, 1973
B.A., Philosophy, University of Texas, 1971

Books:

Greed, Lust and Gender: A History of Economic Ideas.Oxford University Press 2010.

Valuing Children: Rethinking the Economics of the Family. Harvard University Press 2008

The Invisible Heart: Economics and Family Values. New York: The New Press 2001.