Arthur J. Rolnick is an ECI network member and a senior fellow at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. He previously served at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis as a senior vice president and director of research and as an associate economist with the Federal Open Market Committee. His research interests include the economics of education, social policy, monetary policy, banking and financial economics, and the economics of federalism.

Describe your area of study and how it relates to current policy discussions surrounding inequality.

My area of study is the economics of early childhood development. Inequality begins at birth--indeed it begins prenatal. And there is no market for purchasing parents. That is, there is a market failure.

What areas in the study of inequality are most in need of new research?

How should the government correct this market failure?

What advice do you have for emerging scholars in your field?

This issue crosses research disciplines.  Work with academics outside your field of expertise.