Evelyn Forget, OC, PhD, FRSC

Research summary

Dr. Forget’s research examines the health and social implications of poverty and inequality and she is often called upon by governments, First Nations and international organizations to advise on poverty, inequality, health and social outcomes.

Her most recent books are Basic Income for Canadians: from the COVID-19 emergency to financial security for all (Lorimer and Co., 2020) and (with Hannah Owczar) Radical Trust: Basic Income for Complicated Lives.

Dr. Forget is a professor of economics and community health sciences at the University of Manitoba, an Officer of the Order of Canada, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.

Her work on basic income was profiled in three full-length  documentaries:

• The Manitoba Story
• The Free Lunch Society, which opened at the Geneva International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights in 2018
• Gratis Geld (in Dutch, with an English introduction)

Her career highlight is that she was featured in a comic book from Finland.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Economics, University of Toronto (1986)

Master of Arts in Political Economy, University of Toronto (1979)

Bachelor of Arts with Honours, Glendon College, York University (1978)

Awards

2021:

• Officer, Order of Canada
• Fellow, Royal Society of Canada

2020:

• Thomas F. Divine Award for Lifetime Achievement, Association of Social Economics

2014:

• Mike McCracken Award in Economic Statistics, Canadian Economic Association

2012:

• Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal