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February 25, 2026
Podcast episode 44: Dr. Donna Ginther
Welcome to the Pioneers in Health podcast. In this podcast, we share inspiring stories of pioneering leaders from our nation and from your backyard who are working to improve health.
In episode 44, we interview Dr. Donna Ginther. She is the Roy A. Roberts & Regents Distinguished Professor of Economics, Director of the Institute for Policy & Social Research at the University of Kansas, and a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research.
Prior to joining the University of Kansas faculty, she was a research economist and associate policy adviser in the regional group of the Research Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta from 2000 to 2002 and taught at Washington University from 1997 to 2000 and Southern Methodist University from 1995 to 1997.
Her major fields of study are scientific labor markets, gender differences in employment outcomes, wage inequality, science policy and investments in children.
A native of Wisconsin, Dr. Ginther received her doctorate in economics in 1995, master’s degree in economics in 1991, and bachelor’s degree in economics in 1987, all from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
In this episode, Donna shares how she first became interested in economics at an early age.
“I became interested in economics when I saw the economy affect my family. My dad was working for an automobile manufacturer and lost his job for several months in 1982 when we had a very deep recession,” she said. ” And I realized that the economy has an impact on everyday people.”
She pursued a bachelor’s degree and ultimately a master’s and doctorate degree in economics.
Now, as a distinguished economics professor, she shares about some of her recent and current research — much of which focuses on the drivers of inequality.
She discusses:
- Her research on women in economics
- Labor markets and how family structure affects educational outcomes
- Research on how better access to public programs, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), reduces foster care placements and the number of children maltreated
- How artificial intelligence is impacting the labor market
- How inequality isn’t good for the economy or health
- The Institute for Policy & Social Research
- Property tax policies
- The impact of federal dollars on state economic activity
- The economic impact of not expanding Medicaid to include more Kansans
- What excites her and gives her hope
And much more! Listen now, and learn more about how Donna is an innovative leader in Kansas.
Please see the Pioneers in Health page on our website for more information on our podcast series and links to other episodes.
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