Melody Harvey

I am a social scientist who draws on policy analysis, economics, and human ecology to study how public policies affect financial capability, financial decisions, and financial well-being among economically vulnerable populations. I seek to understand what is needed in public policy through which mechanisms to improve their financial health. Currently, my research primarily focuses on the effect of K-16 financial education policies on the financial outcomes of youth and young adults across different socioeconomic groups. My research also examines heterogeneities in consumer policy implementation and explores the role of financial regulations on accessing alternative financial services.

Selected Publication:

Harvey, Melody, Cliff A. Robb, and Christopher L. Peterson. “Law and order? Associations between payday lending prohibition and alternative financial services use by degree of enforcement.” Journal of Consumer Affairs 58, no. 2 (2024): 538-557.