UMW’s Dr. Amrita Dhar Discusses Economic Development and Inequality on Decode Econ Podcast
University of Mary Washington economics professor Dr. Amrita Dhar recently appeared on the Decode Econ podcast, joining host Dr. Abdullah Al Bahrani and Temple University’s Dr. Shreyasee Das for a discussion on development economics, global inequality, and the importance of economic research in understanding the challenges facing communities around the world.
Throughout the conversation, Dr. Dhar shared insights into her research interests and approach to studying economic development. Her work examines capital flows into emerging markets and K–12 education financing across U.S. states, reflecting the wide range of economic questions that can be explored at both international and domestic levels.
One of the central topics of the discussion was the distinction between economic inequality across countries and inequality within countries. Dr. Dhar highlighted how, over recent decades, economic disparities between countries have narrowed while inequality within individual countries has widened. This shift raises important questions about globalization, economic growth, and how the benefits of development are distributed among different populations.
The conversation also emphasized that development economics is not limited to studying lower-income countries. Economic challenges involving infrastructure, education, and access to resources continue to affect communities within developed nations, including the United States. Understanding these differences can help economists better evaluate existing policies and identify areas where further research is needed.
Beyond their research, Dr. Dhar and Dr. Das reflected on their experiences as graduate students at the University of Houston, highlighting the importance of mentorship, supportive academic environments, and diversity within the economics profession.
Dr. Dhar’s appearance on Decode Econ highlights the contributions of UMW faculty to broader academic discussions and the importance of connecting economic research to real-world issues.
The full podcast episode is available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asV3d5vhMR0
