Zsigmond’s goal is to develop scholarship that will contribute to the design of new policies that make a meaningful impact on inequality.

Zsigmond Pálvölgyi is an ambitious researcher committed to helping policymakers address increasing inequality. Zsigmond began his studies in his home country of Hungary, where he earned a full scholarship to its flagship university in economics, Corvinus University of Budapest. There Zsigmond earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting and a master’s degree in economic analysis and — over six years of study, conversation, and navigating the challenges of balancing school and work — became increasingly interested in issues of social responsibility and growing educational, income, and wealth inequality.

These interests motivated Zsigmond to pursue further education in economics: he went on to earn a master’s in economics from Central European University, graduating at the top of his class, and pursue admittance to the doctoral program in economics at UM-Ann Arbor. Now a PhD candidate at U-M, Zsigmond’s research focuses on understanding how wealth inequality persists over time, especially considering the role of governmental policies and decisions. His dissertation specifically investigates the impacts of housing policies on the racial wealth gap, parental wealth on college major choice in the US, and a new parental leave policy on maternal employment in Hungary. Zsigmond’s goal is to develop scholarship that will contribute to the design of new policies that make a meaningful impact on inequality. His advisor describes him as “a very promising researcher who has demonstrated the ability to develop creative and ambitious ideas,” and his work has already been recognized with an outstanding third year paper award, a CID Emerging Inequality Scholar Award, and a James Morgan Award.

CEW+ commends Zsigmond’s commitment to his education and his vision for his scholarship and names him the CEW+ Graduate Scholar.