The Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan has appointed Catherine Hausman as its inaugural Lenore K. and Robert Damrauer Professor, a new position focused on energy economics and environmental policy.

The Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan has announced the appointment of Catherine Hausman as its inaugural Lenore K. and Robert Damrauer Professor of Social Policy. This new professorship is indicative of the university's push to develop its profile in the field of energy economics and environmental policy.

Hausman, who is also a member of the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), brings significant knowledge and experience in analyzing economic impacts related to energy use and environmental conservation. Her research focuses on identifying effective policies that can promote sustainable energy practices while considering economic ramifications. 

As part of her responsibilities, Hausman will conduct research that informs both public understanding and policymaking regarding energy challenges. A further part of her mandate is to train the next generation of policymakers and economists to handle the complexities of energy markets and environmental sustainability.

The establishment of this professorship was announced in June 2025, and was made possible by a gift from Harold Kohn and Carol Kohn. Both are former Chemistry and Health professors at the Universities of Houston and North Carolina, and Harold ("Hal") also completed his Bachelor's degree at Michigan. The donation was made via their charitable trust, in memory of Harold Kohn's older sister, Lenore K. and her husband Robert Damrauer, both of whom were Michigan graduates. 

The Kohn Charitable Trust works to rectify structural inequalities in the U.S. which the Kohn's believe have left many behind. It aims to achieve this by facilitating scholarships and initiatives that can advance progressive domestic social policies, mostly in collaboration with the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan.

The contribution underscores the importance of investing in academic initiatives that aim to tackle the critical challenges of our time, particularly in the realm of energy and environment.

Read the full press release at: fordschool.umich.edu

Read more about Catherine Hausman on her University of Michigan Profile here or on her personal website.

Read more about Harold Kohn here. 

Read more about Carol Kohn here.