Applied Microeconomics
Applied Microeconomics
The Applied Microeconomics research group unites researchers working on a broad array of topics within such areas as labour economics, economics of education, health economics, family economics, urban economics, environmental economics, and the economics of science and innovation. The group operates in close collaboration with the CAGE Research Centre.
The group participates in the CAGE seminar on Applied Economics, which runs weekly on Tuesdays at 2:15pm. Students and faculty members of the group present their ongoing work in two brown bag seminars, held weekly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 1pm. Students, in collaboration with faculty members, also organise a bi-weekly reading group in applied econometrics on Thursdays at 1pm. The group organises numerous events throughout the year, including the Research Away Day and several thematic workshops.
Our activities
Work in Progress seminars
Tuesdays and Wednesdays 1-2pm
Students and faculty members of the group present their work in progress in two brown bag seminars. See below for a detailed scheduled of speakers.
Applied Econometrics reading group
Thursdays (bi-weekly) 1-2pm
Organised by students in collaboration with faculty members. See the Events calendar below for further details
People
Academics
Academics associated with the Applied Microeconomics Group are:
Research Students
Events
Applied Economics, Econometrics & Public Policy (CAGE) Seminar - David Schonholzer (IIES)
Title: School Capital Expenditure Rules, Student Outcomes, and Real Estate Capitalization (joint work with Barbara Biasi and Julien Lafortune)
Abstract: School capital expenditures are a major component of public spending in the US, but there is substantial disagreement among economists and policymakers under what conditions these expenditures are a good use of funds. We use new data on school bond elections from dozens of states to estimate (a) the effects of capital expenditures on student achievement and house prices, (b) how they vary with bond and district characteristics, and (c) how they are shaped by the institutional environment. On average, we find positive effects on test scores and house prices, but with meaningful heterogeneity across bond characteristics, districts, and state institutions. We interpret these findings in a probabilistic voter model with budget-maximizing school districts. The model provides a foundation for quantitative evaluation of counterfactual political and fiscal institutions governing school capital finance.