Kimberly E. Christensen

Kimberly Christensen’s research focuses on the intersection of economics with public policy issues, with a particular emphasis on issues of race, gender, class, and labor—e.g., the experiences of low-income women in the AIDS crisis, the politics of welfare “reform,” the “gendered” nature of the current recession, and the impact of our campaign finance system on public policy. 

Christensen taught economics from 1985 to 2010 at Purchase College, where she received several awards for her outstanding teaching. She was also a founding member of the women’s studies and lesbian/gay studies programs (now combined in the gender studies program). She has also taught economics, labor history, and public policy as a guest faculty member at Sarah Lawrence College.

She earned her BA economics and peace/global studies at Earlham College and her PhD in political economy at the University of Massachusetts–Amherst.