Oral History Interview, Tim Smeeding (2162)

Abstract

In this July 22nd, 2022 interview with Francisco Hernandez Moleres, Prof. Timothy Smeeding reflects on his career in public affairs and economics, and shares his thoughts about receiving the 2022 Hilldale Award. Throughout the conversation, Prof. Smeeding describes his formative years as a graduate student at UW-Madison’s Institute for Research in Poverty in the 1970s and his return to that same university as a professor in 2007. He notes his passion for studying inequality within and across multiple countries, and he highlights the influences of former colleagues Lee Rainwater and Patrick Moynihan. Prof. Smeeding discusses his work advising government policy—notably the American Rescue Plan of 2021—his teaching experience at UW-Madison, and his professional service in the National Academy of Sciences and the Association for Public Policy Analysis.