Alumni Spotlight: Ben Wilson

Dr. BeBen Wilson n Wilson, a 2015 graduate of the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program, is now an assistant professor of economics at State University of New York, College at Cortland. He has also joined the team of Research Scholars at the Binzagr Institute for Sustainable Prosperity.

“My research is investigating economic structures that promote social and environmental health and is focusing on food systems and housing conditions by applying the analytics of geographic information systems,” he said. “Here, I am working with many community groups and advocates to develop initiatives to reduce food insecurity and hunger; one such project is to build a farmer’s market and community kitchen in Cortland.”

Before starting the Ph.D. program at UMKC, Ben received a bachelor’s and master’s degree from KU in economics. He chose UMKC for his doctoral work because of the faculty.

“I selected UMKC because the faculty in the Economics Department has leading scholars in several schools of thought in Heterodox Economics,” he said. “After completing a BA and MA in Economics in the traditional orthodox department at the University of Kansas and spending several years working in the private sector, I wanted to explore the field from a new perspective.”

Ben said the interdisciplinary program provides students with plenty of intellectual freedom.

“Studying and applying a variety of methodologies in the social sciences and in geoscience has helped me to develop a research program that is both philosophically stimulating and has practical applications for improving people’s lives,” he said. “My journey in the IPhD program and specifically through the economics program supplied me with a wealth of knowledge and experience that I will draw upon for the rest of my career.  But, more importantly are the relationships that developed.  I found not only colleagues and mentors, but friends and a network of support that I believe is rather unique in academics.”

Economics became an interest for Ben after his first day of class with the late Harry G. Shaffer.

“He taught at Kansas for nearly 60 years and never lost his enthusiasm for the topic or his students learning,” he said. “I had intended on following in his footsteps and completing a Ph.D., however, it was not until I was working in banking and teaching financial literacy courses in KCK and the Historic Northeast neighborhoods in KC that I really understood my own passion for teaching and curiosity about the economy.”

Ben says his UMKC degree has helped him to achieve his dream job.

“My career provides tremendous work/life balance, and I am very thankful to UMKC for supporting the Economics Department,” he said. “I am also very thankful to Mathew Forstater. I learned a great deal from him as my advisor, not only as a professional but also as a friend and family man.”

For students interested in or beginning their own Ph.D. programs, Ben encourages getting involved.

“The Graduate Student Council (GSC) is a great way to meet people from across the school of graduate studies and the great people like Michelle, Dean Medeiros and all those in the office helping to make the SGS work,” he said. “The experiences in the Economics club, the student government, and the student council have facilitated my transition into a faculty role.”

As a final note, Ben also adds that any visits to New York from the UMKC community should not be to the city.

“New York State has amazing state parks with beautiful rivers, streams and lakes surrounded by forests and mountains,” he said. “Grab yourself a kayak or paddleboard instead of a taxi.”

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