Linda A. Bell

Linda A. Bell is the Claire Tow Professor of Economics and Provost Emerita at Barnard College. Professor Bell served as Provost and Dean of Faculty at Barnard College from 2012-2024. Prior to joining Barnard College as Provost, Bell was Provost and the John B. Hurford Professor of Economics at Haverford College from 2007-2012.

A labor economist by training, Bell has served in varied capacity as a Consultant to the World Bank, the Federal Reserve Bank, and the US Department of Labor, among other policy roles. She is an empirical economist specializing in labor market behavior and public policy, with a focus on inequality and discriminatory outcomes in US and Global labor markets. Professor Bell has authored or co-authored numerous journal articles and policy manuscripts, and has been the recipient of several teaching and service awards at multiple institutions. Her recent research examined US Public companies, and the important role of female CEOs and female Board representation in ameliorating the longstanding gender pay gap across firms in the US.

While in Paris, Professor Bell will expand on her current project, a book manuscript focused on the challenges facing higher education institutions in the US today, and the opportunities for leadership, reform, and a re-imagination of the sector’s mission, purview, purpose and value.”