A deep dive into the realm of academic research and beyond

In this episode, we sit down with Professor Jo Mullins for a wide-ranging conversation about his path into economics, his research, and what life looks like as an academic. Professor Mullins shares how his early interest in inequality and social issues led him to labor economics, and reflects on his journey from Australia to pursuing a PhD at NYU and eventually joining Minnesota’s faculty. We explore his work in labor economics and human capital, including research on child development, skill formation, and how policies like childcare support and income transfers can shape long-term outcomes. He breaks down complex ideas in a very accessible way, showing how economics goes beyond markets and into everyday life, especially in understanding inequality and opportunity. ...