On November 14, 2025, Dr. Janet Currie will deliver the annual Marburg Memorial Lecture at Marquette University, focusing on strategies to combat the growing challenge of youth mental health. The event will take place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Weasler Auditorium, located at 1506 W. Wisconsin Ave. in Milwaukee. Titled “Investing in Children to Address the Youth Mental Health Crisis,” the talk is hosted by the Department of Economics in the College of Business Administration and is open to the public at no cost, though advance registration is required.
The discussion will challenge several widespread misconceptions about the current state of child mental well-being. One common belief is that the crisis is a recent phenomenon, when in fact evidence points to its existence over multiple decades. Another assumption—that rising youth suicide rates are solely due to worsening psychological conditions—will be examined in light of external influences such as access to firearms and policy decisions. Additionally, Currie will present research indicating that targeted financial and social investments in children’s services can yield measurable improvements in emotional and psychological outcomes.
Dr. Currie, currently serving as the David Swensen Professor of Economics at Yale University, has built a distinguished career studying health disparities linked to socioeconomic status, environmental risks, and long-term consequences of childhood health conditions. Her expertise has been sought globally, including presentations at institutions such as the White House and the European Investment Bank. Among her accolades are the 2024 presidency of the American Economic Association, the 2023 Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize, and recognition as a Clarivate Citation Laureate in 2024. In 2015, she was named one of the top ten female economists by the World Economic Forum.
The Marburg Lecture series honors Theodore F. Marburg, a longtime faculty member in Marquette’s Economics Department. It aims to foster dialogue on ethical, philosophical, and societal aspects of economic policy, reflecting Marburg’s dedication to justice and peace through economic thought. Funding for the series comes from the Marburg family and the Center for Global and Economic Studies.
Marquette University, a Catholic Jesuit institution situated near downtown Milwaukee, serves approximately 11,100 students across 11 colleges and schools. Recognized in the top 20% of national universities, it emphasizes undergraduate teaching excellence, innovation, and career readiness—ranking sixth in the U.S. for graduate job placement. The university’s mission centers on developing leaders committed to positive societal impact.
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Marquette Business’ Marburg Lecture to discuss child mental health crisis, Nov. 14
Nov. 13, 2025 n nMILWAUKEE — Dr. Janet Currie, co-director of the Program on Families and Children at the National Bureau of Economic Research, will deliver the 2025 Marburg Memorial Lecture, titled “Investing in Children to Address the Youth Mental Health Crisis,” on Friday, Nov. 14, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Weasler Auditorium, 1506 W. Wisconsin Ave. n nThe child mental health crisis has been described as the “defining public health crisis of our time.” In fact, the crisis has existed for decades. Youth suicides vary asynchronously with other mental health measures and are impacted by external factors such as firearms legislation, and investments can improve child mental health and prevent suicide. n nCurrie’s lecture will address three myths about the crisis: the idea that the crisis is new; the belief that increases in youth suicide mainly reflect deterioration in children’s underlying mental health; and the myth that investments in children have little impact on children’s mental health. n nThe lecture, hosted by the Department of Economics in the College of Business Administration, is free and open to the public; registration is required and available online. n nCurrie is the David Swensen Professor of Economics at Yale University. Her current research focuses on socioeconomic differences in health, environmental threats to health, child mental health, and the long-run impact of child health. She has presented her work at universities around the world and in venues ranging from the White House to the European Investment Bank. Currie was the 2024 President of the American Economic Association, was chosen as a NOMIS Distinguished Scientist in 2019, won the Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize in 2023, and was named a Clarivate Citation Laureate in 2024. In 2015, she was named one of the top 10 women in economics by the World Economic Forum. n nThe Marburg Lecture series is named in honor of the late Theodore F. Marburg, a longtime member of Marquette’s Department of Economics. The goal of the lecture is to provide a forum for the discussion of moral, philosophical, and social dimensions of economic issues, as well as continue Professor Marburg’s commitment to the economic aspects of peace and justice. The Marburg Lecture is made possible by the generosity of the Marburg family and through the support of the Center for Global and Economic Studies. n nAbout Marquette University n nMarquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee that offers a comprehensive range of majors in 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges and schools. Through the formation of hearts and minds, Marquette prepares our 11,100 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students to lead, excel and serve as agents of positive change. And, we deliver results. Ranked in the top 20% of national universities, Marquette is recognized for its undergraduate teaching, innovation and career preparation as the sixth-best university in the country for job placement. Our focus on student success and immersive, personalized learning experiences encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them. When students graduate with a Marquette degree, they are truly prepared and called to Be The Difference. n nAbout Kevin Conway