

Dean Spears
Associate professor of economics at the University of Texas at Austin and founding director of r.i.c.e., a nonprofit research organization focused on early life, health and well-being in India. Co-author of the award-winning book, "Where India Goes."
Top 3 podcasts with Dean Spears
Ranked by the Snipd community

18 snips
Jul 8, 2025 • 1h 2min
Should we be worried about overpopulation or depopulation?
Dean Spears and Michael Geruso, both professors of economics and demography at UT Austin, share thought-provoking insights on the potential dangers of depopulation. They discuss the troubling decline in birth rates and its societal implications, contrasting them with historical fears of overpopulation. Anecdotes about parenting illustrate the urgency of changing perspectives on family size. The conversation also touches on ethical dilemmas in modern technology and the impact of coercive reproductive policies, making a compelling case for understanding demographic shifts.

13 snips
May 1, 2024 • 1h 19min
#186 – Dean Spears on why babies are born small in Uttar Pradesh, and how to save their lives
In this engaging discussion, Dean Spears, an associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin and founding director of r.i.c.e., sheds light on the critical neonatal health challenges in Uttar Pradesh, India. He reveals shocking neonatal mortality rates and explores the effective kangaroo mother care program, emphasizing its life-saving impact through skin-to-skin contact. The conversation also touches on the socioeconomic factors affecting maternal and infant health, and the hope for future improvements through innovative, low-cost healthcare solutions.

May 15, 2024 • 15min
Highlights: #186 – Dean Spears on why babies are born small in Uttar Pradesh, and how to save their lives
Dean Spears, an expert on why babies are born small in Uttar Pradesh, discusses the impact of maternal undernutrition, the success of Kangaroo Mother Care in reducing neonatal deaths, and the cost effectiveness of programs aimed at saving infants' lives. The podcast also explores challenges of cash-based healthcare for neonatal survival in Uttar Pradesh.