KU economist Donna Ginther named member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences
LAWRENCE — A University of Kansas economist is among nearly 250 new members named to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences for its Class of 2025.
Donna Ginther is the Roy A. Roberts and Regents Distinguished Professor of Economics and directs KU’s Institute for Policy & Social Research and KU’s Center for Science, Technology & Economic Policy. She also serves as a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research.
“I am very honored to be elected as a member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and to join such a distinguished group of scholars, thought leaders and humanitarians,” Ginther said. “My research on the economics of science coincides with the academy’s focus on science, technology and society. As a member, I hope to contribute to that important work.”
To underscore the importance of American Academy of Arts & Sciences membership, the National Research Council lists it as a highly prestigious award, and faculty membership is a metric for KU’s membership in the Association of American Universities.
“The College is extremely proud of Dr. Ginther’s election into the American Academy of Arts & Sciences,” said Arash Mafi, executive dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at KU. “This recognition highlights her significant contributions to economics and policy research at KU. Dr. Ginther exemplifies the kind of innovative scholarship and leadership that makes a real difference in our academic community, Kansas and the world.”
Ginther’s research centers on the economics of science, academic labor markets, gender differences in employment outcomes, wage inequality and investments in children.
“Dr. Ginther has spent her career embodying the American Academy of Arts & Sciences' values of working across disciplines and divides to advance the common good,” said Shelley Hooks, vice chancellor for research. “Her research illuminates the contours of social challenges and provides insightful data to inform policy solutions. Her contributions benefit people in Kansas and beyond, and her election to the academy is richly deserved.”
A sought-out expert on these topics, her research and expertise have been featured in The Economist, The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR and other national media outlets.
Her research has been published in Science, Journal of the American Statistical Association, Journal of Economic Perspectives, Demography, Psychological Science in the Public Interest, and the Papers and Proceedings of the American Economic Association. She has received research funding from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
Before joining KU, Ginther was a research economist and associate policy adviser in the regional group of the research department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, having taught previously at Washington University and Southern Methodist University.
A Wisconsin native, Ginther received a doctorate in economics in 1995, a master's degree in economics in 1991 and a Bachelor of Arts in economics in 1987, all from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Ginther joins previously inducted Jayhawk academy members Kristin Bowman-James, University Distinguished Professor of Chemistry; Robert Warrior, Hall Distinguished Professor of American Literature & Culture; Jorge Soberón, University Distinguished Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology; Donald Worster, distinguished professor emeritus of history; and Paul Meier, professor emeritus of theatre.
Founded in 1780, the academy honors exceptional scholars, leaders, artists and innovators, engaging them to share knowledge and address challenges facing the world.
The 2025 class also includes activist and journalist Gloria Steinem, novelist Amy Tan and World Central Kitchen founder and chief feeding officer José Andrés.