Megan Doherty

Megan Doherty is an Associate Professor of Consumer Science at the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s School of Human Ecology. Her research focuses on consumer finance, financial well-being, and socioeconomic inequality, with a sociological lens informed by law, economics, and geography. She examines topics such as financial security among young adults, geographic access to financial services, and regulatory impacts on lending practices.

Education:

• PhD in Sociology, Cornell University
• MA in Sociology, Cornell University
• BA in Economics and French, Bryn Mawr College

Research Interests: Doherty’s work bridges multiple disciplines, analyzing how systemic factors like race, economic policies, and legal frameworks shape financial access and inequality. Notable themes include the interplay between payday lending and banking networks, spatial disparities in financial service availability, and the consequences of disasters on mortgage markets. Her approach emphasizes policy implications for marginalized communities.

Recent Trends in Publications: Recent articles highlight Doherty’s focus on climate-related financial risks, racial disparities in mortgage markets, and the geographic distribution of predatory lending. She also investigates how public policies like minimum wage increases and cash assistance programs affect financial inclusion.

Affiliations:

• Center for Financial Security
• Center for Demography and Ecology
• Department of Sociology
• Institute for Research on Poverty

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams at the Center for Financial Security and the Institute for Research on Poverty to address issues like financial literacy, disaster resilience, and policy design.