Kenneth Couch

Kenneth A. Couch is a Professor of Economics at the University of Connecticut's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He specializes in Labor Economics, Public Economics, and Public Policy Analysis, with a focus on disadvantaged groups, labor market policies, and social security reforms. His research has been supported by organizations like the Sloan Foundation, NIH/NIA, and the Social Security Administration. He previously served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management (JPAM).

Education: Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Wisconsin (1992). Courses taught include Causal Evaluation and Labor Economics at both undergraduate and PhD levels.

Research Interests: Economic Mobility, Job Displacement, Minimum Wages, Inequality, Employment Training, Social Security Policy, and Program Evaluation. His recent work examines the socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on labor market disparities, particularly gender and racial gaps.

Key Themes in Publications: Analysis of long-term unemployment effects, retirement policy adjustments, and the role of public programs in mitigating economic vulnerability. His work bridges microsimulation modeling with policy design, emphasizing evidence-based solutions for disadvantaged populations.

Grants & Awards: Funding from multiple foundations and agencies highlights his contributions to social policy research. His studies on divorce's economic consequences and minority unemployment during crises demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches to labor market challenges.

Labs/Teams: Collaborations with institutions like the Social Security Administration and JPAM reflect his leadership in policy-relevant research networks.