C. Katharina Spiess

Professor advancing research in early childhood and family economics, C. Katharina Spiess is a distinguished academic affiliated with the Economics University of Chicago. With a profound commitment to understanding the intricacies of early childhood development and its economic implications, Professor Spiess has carved a niche in the field of education economics. Her work is pivotal in shaping policies and practices that enhance educational outcomes and family well-being. At the heart of her research lies a deep interest in early childhood research, where she explores the foundational years of human development and their long-term impacts on education and economic prospects. Her expertise extends to survey methodology and management, where she employs rigorous techniques to gather and analyze data that inform her research findings. This methodological rigor ensures that her contributions to the field are both reliable and impactful. Professor Spiess's involvement with the Socio-Economic Panel Study (SOEP) at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) underscores her commitment to empirical research. As part of this research group, she collaborates with fellow scholars to investigate socio-economic trends and their implications for education and family dynamics. Her role as the acting head of the department for educational economics at DIW Berlin further highlights her leadership in the field. In addition to her research endeavors, Professor Spiess is an active member of several advisory boards at both federal and state levels. These roles allow her to bridge the gap between academic research and policy-making, ensuring that her insights contribute to the development of effective educational and family policies. Her membership in the Early Childhood Interventions (ECI) Network further exemplifies her dedication to advancing interventions that support early childhood development. Through her work, Professor Spiess continues to influence the fields of family economics and education economics, providing valuable insights that guide both academic inquiry and practical applications. Her contributions are instrumental in fostering a deeper understanding of how early childhood experiences shape economic and educational trajectories, ultimately benefiting society as a whole.