معرفی
Laurel Wheeler is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Alberta and a research affiliate at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis' Center for Indian Country Development (CICD). She holds a PhD and MA in Economics from Duke University, an MSc in Economics for Development from the University of Oxford, and a BA in Political Science from the University of Florida. Her research focuses on development economics and labor economics, with a particular emphasis on Indigenous economic development, wealth and income disparities, and labor markets in low-income countries. She is dedicated to empirical research that informs policy solutions for poverty and inequality.
Education:
- PhD in Economics, Duke University
- MA in Economics, Duke University
- MSc in Economics for Development, University of Oxford
- BA in Political Science, University of Florida
Research Interests: Laurel’s work bridges empirical analysis and policy design, addressing issues such as Indigenous economic development, labor market dynamics in low-income regions, and the impact of crises like the pandemic on marginalized communities. She explores innovative financial models (e.g., Native CDFI lending), the effects of tribal gaming on local economies, and digital tools for youth employment in South Africa. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates Indigenous knowledge systems into economic education and policy frameworks.
Teaching & Academic Contributions: She teaches courses on Indigenous Economics and Urban Economics, emphasizing policy evaluation and inequality reduction. Upcoming courses include ECON 251 (Indigenous Economics) in Winter 2026 and Fall 2025. Her work is published in top journals, focusing on themes of financial inclusion, labor market interventions, and Indigenous economic resilience.
Funding & Partnerships: Her research is supported by institutions like the CICD, and she collaborates with community development organizations to ensure practical policy relevance. She advocates for evidence-based solutions to address systemic inequities in Indigenous and global development contexts.
