Dr. Alec Rhodes

Biography

Alec Rhodes is an economic sociologist who studies the causes and consequences of inequality and financial insecurity. He employs political economy, demographic, and spatial perspectives to address questions related to inequality, poverty, and mobility. His research particularly focuses on how inequalities accumulate throughout the life course and in various market contexts, as well as the potential of institutions and policies to mitigate these hardships. Recent work investigates labor market institutions and the distribution of resources and opportunities across careers and geographic locations in the United States. His projects examine the relationships between social policy and credit use among low-income populations, and the consequences of debt on financial hardship and life chances. Rhodes utilizes survey and administrative data, advanced quantitative methods, longitudinal data analysis, and causal modeling in his research. Prior to joining Purdue University, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Institute for Research on Poverty. He received his PhD from Ohio State University and his BA from Hobart William Smith Colleges.

Research Interests

Experience