Taylor Graciano in interviewResearch, teaching and international cooperation

14 March 2025, by Areez Sheikh

Photo: privat

A conversation about Taylor Graciano's work at the University of Hamburg Business School at the Professorship of Risk Management and Insurance

PhD student Taylor Graciano enriched the Business School with her research stay from December 2024 to January 2025. Areez Sheikh, student assistant at the Professorship of Risk Management and Insurance, interviewed her about her research and impressions. 

Ms. Graciano, could you briefly introduce yourself and tell us more about your academic background?

Of course! I am currently a PhD candidate in Risk Management and Insurance at the University of Georgia and have recently accepted a position as an Assistant Professor of Finance at New Mexico State University. My research interests reflect my passion for the intersection of insurance economics, health policy, and behavioral research.

What is the focus of your research during your stay at the professorship of Prof. Steinorth?

My project examines the economic consequences of widowhood—a topic that has received little to no attention. Many studies focus on marriage, but hardly anyone asks: What happens when these marriages end? My interest in widowhood stems from my personal life. When my grandmother became widowed, she stopped going to the doctor and really stopped valuing her longevity altogether. That was the trigger for me to explore the impact of widowhood on healthcare utilization.

What results have you achieved so far?

Widowhood often leads to a decline in preventive health measures and increases reliance on formal care—such as hospitals and nursing homes. In the US alone, the resulting costs amount to 11 billion USD annually. This calls for policy changes aimed at protecting the health of widows and widowers.

How do you approach your research methodically, and what are your plans for the future?

Using data from the Health and Retirement Study, a long-term panel survey with over 30,000 participants, I use a difference-in-differences methodology to examine the impact of widowhood on healthcare utilization. In the future, I plan on expanding my work to examine the impact of widowhood on household financial decision-making. I would like to eventually expand my work to make international comparisons, for example, examining the role of multi-generational households or healthcare systems in different countries. My stay here helps me integrate new perspectives into my research.

Why did you choose the University of Hamburg Business School?

I have always had such wonderful interactions with Prof. Steinorth at conferences. She always provided me with great guidance on research and teaching. She invited me to co-teach the course "Principles of Risk Management and Insurance." It has been such a joy to experience teaching in a different environment.

Is there a sentence that summarizes your stay at the University of Hamburg Business School?

(Taylor Graciano laughs.) I felt incredibly welcome here. International networks are very important to make research more tangible. Collaboration not only supports my research but also opens my eyes to education systems that work differently—and that makes me a better scientist.