Health Policy Research Seminar: David McMillon, PhD, Assistant Professor of Economics, Emory University

12:00pm - 1:00pm • 1104 Blockley Hall

2024-12-12 12:00:00 2024-12-12 13:00:00 America/New_York Health Policy Research Seminar: David McMillon, PhD, Assistant Professor of Economics, Emory University Event Details: Date: Thursday, December 12th Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Location: 1104 Blockley Hall (Note: Virtual attendees can join by accessing this link: https://upenn.zoom.us/j/95353951407.) Topic: "Systemic Discrimination. " Bio: David McMillon is an assistant professor of economics at Emory University where he teaches a newly designed course, "The Economics of Systemic Racism." He received his doctoral degree at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy. He holds Master’s degrees from the University of Michigan in Applied Mathematics and in Industrial and Operations Engineering, and a Bachelor’s in Mathematical Sciences. The goal of his work can be summarized as using systems thinking to combat systemic discrimination, but it is situated at the intersection of stratification economics (substantively) and applied theory (methodologically). His work explores how features of complex systems can be exploited to amplify or sustain the effects of racial equity-focused interventions, for the same reasons they amplify inequities in the status quo. This includes work on the academic achievement, the school to prison pipeline, crime policy, reparations and wealth inequality, and formal models of systemic discrimination. David’s work has been funded by the Spencer Foundation, the American Educational Research Association, and the Washington Center for Equitable Growth. David is also affiliated with the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank, the Stone Center for Research on Wealth Inequality and Mobility, and the Samuel Dubois Cook Center for Racial Equity. Abstract: Drawing on work spanning economics, public health, education, sociology, and law, I formalize theoretically what makes systemic discrimination “systemic." Injustices do not occur in isolation, but within a complex system of interdependent factors; and their effects may amplify as a consequence. I develop a taxonomy of these amplification mechanisms, connecting them to well-understood concepts in economics that are precise, testable and policy-oriented. This framework reveals that these amplification mechanisms can either be directly disrupted, or exploited to amplify the effects of equity-focused interventions instead. In other words, it shows how to use the mechanics of systemic discrimination against itself. Real-world examples discussed include but are not limited to reparations for slavery and Jim Crow, neighborhood interventions, police shootings, educational interventions, affirmative action, the Flint water crisis, and Covid-19. 1104 Blockley Hall Penn Medical Ethics

Bio: David McMillon is an assistant professor of economics at Emory University where he teaches a newly designed course, "The Economics of Systemic Racism." He received his doctoral degree at the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy. He holds Master’s degrees from the University of Michigan in Applied Mathematics and in Industrial and Operations Engineering, and a Bachelor’s in Mathematical Sciences. The goal of his work can be summarized as using systems thinking to combat systemic discrimination, but it is situated at the intersection of stratification economics (substantively) and applied theory (methodologically). His work explores how features of complex systems can be exploited to amplify or sustain the effects of racial equity-focused interventions, for the same reasons they amplify inequities in the status quo. This includes work on the academic achievement, the school to prison pipeline, crime policy, reparations and wealth inequality, and formal models of systemic discrimination. David’s work has been funded by the Spencer Foundation, the American Educational Research Association, and the Washington Center for Equitable Growth. David is also affiliated with the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank, the Stone Center for Research on Wealth Inequality and Mobility, and the Samuel Dubois Cook Center for Racial Equity.

Abstract: Drawing on work spanning economics, public health, education, sociology, and law, I formalize theoretically what makes systemic discrimination “systemic." Injustices do not occur in isolation, but within a complex system of interdependent factors; and their effects may amplify as a consequence. I develop a taxonomy of these amplification mechanisms, connecting them to well-understood concepts in economics that are precise, testable and policy-oriented. This framework reveals that these amplification mechanisms can either be directly disrupted, or exploited to amplify the effects of equity-focused interventions instead. In other words, it shows how to use the mechanics of systemic discrimination against itself. Real-world examples discussed include but are not limited to reparations for slavery and Jim Crow, neighborhood interventions, police shootings, educational interventions, affirmative action, the Flint water crisis, and Covid-19.