Rachel M. Atkins, PhD

Dr. Rachel Marie Brooks Atkins is an assistant professor of economics at St. John's University's Tobin College of Business. Her research investigates the causes and consequences of economic inequality with respect to race and other marginalized identities in the US. While most of her work examines inequality in the context of entrepreneurship, she has also conducted studies on unequal labor market outcomes, unequal impacts of public policies, and inequality in wealth. Dr. Atkins utilizes the frameworks of stratification economics to study these topics, which help to illuminate how systems and structures produce or reproduce persistent group-based economic inequality. Her research has been published in academic journals and covered by the popular press. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the Russell Sage Foundation, the Policy Academies, and the Center for Black Entrepreneurship have all provided generous support to finance her research.

Dr. Atkins earned her doctorate degree in Public and Urban Policy from The New School, a Master of Public Administration degree from New York University, a Master of Government Administration degree from The University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor’s degree in economics from West Chester University.

A Philadelphia native, Dr. Atkins resides in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband and two sons. She enjoys watching the Philadelphia Eagles play football, serving at her church, reading, and bike riding with her family.

Microeconomics, public economics, the economics of race, urban economics, and research methods.

Stratification economics, entrepreneurship, technology and innovation, public policy.

Courses Taught