Ford School faculty promotions approved by Regents

May 17, 2019

On Thursday May 16, 2019, the University of Michigan Board of Regents approved the promotions of Betsey Stevenson, H. Luke Shaefer, and Sarah A. Burgard.

Betsey Stevenson was promoted to professor of public policy and professor of economics, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. The promotion recommendation described her as an “accomplished and engaged scholar” with first-hand experience implementing economic policies, having served on the Senate-confirmed Council of Economic Advisers and as a chief economist at the Labor Department. She was also described as committed to teaching and pedagogy, as she currently is working on a textbook with Professor Wolfers and has taught the required undergraduate economics course at the Ford School since 2016.

H. Luke Shaefer earned a promotion to professor of public policy and social work. In his recommendation for the promotion, the Ford School and School of Social Work noted he “exemplifies excellence and he is an asset to the Ford School, the School of Social Work and the entire University of Michigan.” Noted in the recommendation was his strong teaching evaluations, history of mentorship, and trailblazing work with Poverty Solutions. Shaefer’s book with Kathryn Edin, $2 a day, was named one of the 100 notable books of 2015 by the New York Times.

Sarah A. Burgard was promoted to professor of sociology, College of Literature, Science, and the arts, professor of epidemiology, School of Public Health, professor public policy, Ford School, and research professor, Population Studies Center Institute for Social Research. Known for her work across disciplines, Burgard research examines how health disparities are produced across the course of life, and why social disparities in health persist despite changes in economic, social, policy and technology conditions.