The faculty in the Department of Economics are world-renowned experts publishing in leading journals in the profession. With expertise that spans the major subfields of microeconomics and macroeconomics, the research of our faculty informs policy as it pertains to the impact of government tax and transfer programs, public health and environmental policy, and trade and regulatory policies on economic development and well-being at the individual, household, firm, and macroeconomic levels. Our research is supported by major grants from federal and state agencies, nonprofit foundations, and private donors, and many of the faculty are affiliated with one or more research centers.

Economics

Mapping the Clean Air Haves and Have-nots

Research by Lala Ma recently published in Science explores the relationship between environmental quality and socioeconomic status. 

Economics

The Effect of Oil Supply Shocks on Economic Activity: What Have We Learned?

Ana María Herrera discusses how oil prices affect economic activity in a recent article published  in the Journal of Applied Econometrics. 

Economics

Is Fertility a Leading Indicator?

In a recent paper in The Economic Journal, Steven Lugauer asks, "Is fertility is a leader or follower of economic activity?"

Economics

Strong Social Distancing Measures Reduced the COVID-19 Growth Rate

In their paper published in Health Affairs, Charles Courtemanche and Aaron Yelowitz examine how social distancing measures limited the spread of COVID-19.

Economics

Trouble in the Tails? What We Know About Earnings Nonresponse Thirty Years After Lillard, Smith, and Welch

In an article published in The Journal of Political Economy, Christopher R. Bollinger and James P. Ziliak study the patterns of earnings nonresponse across the distribution as well as its potential consequences for important labor-market issues such as earnings gaps by gender and race, and inequality. 

Economics

After the Panic: Do Financial Crises Cause Demand or Supply Shocks? Evidence from International Trade

Are financial crises a negative shock to aggregate demand or a negative shock to aggregate supply? Felipe Benguria explores the topic in his article published in American Economic Review: Insights.