Economist Lisa Cook will draw on her research for a discussion of the economic costs of systemic racism and discrimination in the U.S., which she recently wrote in the NY Times "inflicts a staggering cost on the entire economy, reducing the wealth and income of millions of people, including many who do not customarily view themselves as victims." Dr. Cook, an alumna of the Berkeley Economics PhD program, is a Professor at Michigan State University and recently served as a member of President Biden’s transition team. She was also a senior economist at the President’s Council of Economic Advisers during the Obama Administration, working on the eurozone crisis, financial instruments, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Her wide-ranging research interests include economic growth and development, international trade, financial institutions and markets, and economic history. She has examined the effects of segregation and race-related violence on economic activity, helped with compiling a national lynching database, and looked at the implications of racial and gender disparities in income and wealth inequality at all stages of the innovation process. The conversation will be hosted by economist Laura Tyson, Distinguished Professor of the Graduate School and Former Dean of Berkeley Haas

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