Karen Duncan, PhD, PHEc

Dr. Karen Duncan is an associate professor in community health sciences at the Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba. Her research focuses on the economic and financial security of families and individuals, with particular emphasis on the economic costs of family caregiving and experiencing financial hardship. Dr. Duncan's research interests include work-family interrelationships, consumer insolvency, families in business, time use, and the cost of raising children.

Dr. Duncan received her PhD and Master of Science from Ohio State University and her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics (with distinction) from the University of Saskatchewan. She has received numerous awards for both research and teaching excellence, including the Teaching Excellence Award from the University of Manitoba Students' Union and University Teaching Services in 2005 and the Manitoba Association of Home Economists (MAHE) Excellence in Teaching Award in 1997, 2000, and 2004.

Dr. Duncan is a member of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada research committee on financial literacy and has served twice on the board of Community Financial Counselling Services in Winnipeg. She is also a past president of the American Council on Consumer Interests. Dr. Duncan has held funding from SSHRC, the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, and the Canadian Home Economics Foundation.

As an experienced social scientist, Dr. Duncan has analyzed household survey data extensively, resulting in numerous publications and presentations. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in the areas of family economic health, family finance, consumer issues, work-family issues, and caregiving across the life course.

Dr. Duncan's passion for engaging in research that explores the connections between paid work and the unpaid care work of families and the implications of this work for families and policy has earned her recognition for her outstanding contributions to the field of family economics and family resource management. She is currently accepting graduate students in both Master's and PhD programs.

Education

PhD, Ohio State University

Master of science, Ohio State University

Bachelor of science in home economics (with distinction), University  of Saskatchewan

Awards

First place, research poster competition, American Council on Consumer Interests (2020)

Teaching Excellence Award, University of Manitoba Students’ Union and University Teaching Services (2005)

Manitoba Association of Home Economists (MAHE) Excellence in Teaching Award (1997, 2000, 2004)

Northeastern Regional Association of State Agricultural Experiment Station Directors 2001 Award for Excellence (presented to members of the research team of “Family Businesses: Interaction in Work and Family Spheres”) in recognition of outstanding contributions to Northeastern multistate research (2001)

Founders’ Award for Excellence in Research Methodology, Canadian Association for Research in Home Economics (2000)