In her talk, “Research Strategies for Impact: The Case of Inclusive Financial Services,” Maura L. Scott discussed how marketing scholarship can create meaningful change beyond academic publications — shaping policy, practice, and community well-being.
She emphasized the role of inclusive financial services in mitigating racial bias, sharing evidence that even more qualified Black customers receive less favorable treatment compared to White customers.
By interviewing financial institution managers, she explored how organizations perceive and respond to such disparities.
Her research demonstrates that marketing can be a tool for equity and societal impact, especially when scholars engage with policymakers, agencies (e.g., the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau), and communities — bringing new voices and lived experiences into marketing research.