Lauren Taylor is a sociologist broadly interested in stratification, economics, labor markets, and social policy. Her research is focused on developing a deeper understanding of financial behavior and the varied consequences of households’ financial decisions. Specifically, her research projects examine how a range of factors – including routine and exceptional income shocks, risk tolerance, financial literacy, patience, social position, and race – shape debt and asset accumulation over the life course. Taylor’s research captures how households navigate economic events and expenses, while also challenging some common preconceptions of household debt use. She uses both qualitative and quantitative methods and has worked extensively with public data sources, original surveys, proprietary financial records, and qualitative in-depth interviews.

Taylor earned her PhD in Sociology and Social Policy from Harvard University. Prior to her studies at Harvard, Taylor worked for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, where she studied consumer use of high-cost, small-dollar products and contributed to the CFPB’s proposed rule on payday loans. She received a Bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College in mathematics and sociology.