Faculty & Staff

Dr. Claudia J. Heath is well established as a researcher specializing in issues related to the economic well-being of families, individuals, and, specifically, women. Her educational background in economics, combined with a focus on women and families, supports her interest in labor force participation of women, low-income and poor families, welfare and poverty issues, and public policy issues of women and families. Dr. Heath's recent scholarly activities focus on economic self-sufficiency and the economic effects of marriage on well-being.

Her current instructional responsibilities include working with the graduate program, teaching doctoral research methods and model building, women in the economy, and an orientation to doctoral work. Dr. Heath holds the rank of Professor. On the UK campus, her invited faculty-based academic affiliations include: Faculty Affiliate, UK Center for Poverty Research (UKCPR); Faculty Associate, Center on Drug and Alcohol Research (CDAR); and Faculty Affiliate, Gender and Women's Studies Program (GWS).  She also serves on the President's Commission on Women and has recently completed her second term as a member of the Board of Directors of the UK Athletic Board.

In addition to previous service as editor of the Journal of Consumer Affairs, a scholarly refereed journal, she serves as manuscript reviewer for several association conferences and journals. Dr. Heath has a history of leadership and service through election to regional and national offices, recognitions, and awards. Among these are President, Missouri Valley Economic Association (MVEA); Vice-President of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS); President of the American Council on Consumer Interests (ACCI); recipient of the 1997 Leader Award from AAFCS; and 2001-2002 American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow.