Benjamin Castleman

Benjamin Castleman is a professor of public policy and education in the Frank Batten School of Public Policy at the University of Virginia (UVA). Dr. Castleman was previously the Newton and Rita Meyers Associate Professor in the Economics of Education at UVA. Castleman was a senior advisor to Former First Lady Michelle Obama's Reach Higher Initiative. He has presented about his research at several White House convenings and in testimony before Congress. His research focuses on policies and strategies to improve postsecondary educational and workforce outcomes for individuals from lower-income and historically-marginalized communities. He specializes in innovations to increase economic mobility among lower-wage adults, including digital- and health-skills training programs; state-funded career and technical education; and competency-based education models for working adults. His research has appeared in top public policy and economics journals, including The Journal of Labor Economics, The Journal of Public Economics, The Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, and The Journal of Human Resources. His research has also received extensive media coverage, including The New York Times, National Public Radio, Time Magazine, and the Washington Post. Dr. Castleman holds an EdD in quantitative policy analysis from Harvard University and an AB in environmental studies from Brown University. He was also a a public school teacher and administrator in Providence, RI.

updated 2024