Dean Karlan, professor of economics at Yale University and founder and president of Innovations for Poverty Action, will speak at the Kincaid Auditorium in the University of Kentucky's new Gatton College of Business and Economics building on Friday, April 1. His presentation, "Pragmatic Optimism in the Fight Against Poverty," is scheduled for 3 to 4 p.m. and is expected to include a question and answer session.

Innovations for Poverty Action is a nonprofit organization dedicated to discovering and promoting effective solutions to global poverty problems.

Karlan's appearance is presented by the UK Economics Society, the Department of Economics, and the college. The Gatton College also is home to the UK Center for Poverty Research.

Admission to the event is free and open to the public.