Hillary Term 2023 — Talks & Materials
By Daniel AC Barbosa (joint with Thiemo Fetzer, Caterina Soto-Vieira and Pedro CL Souza)
Broad Topic: Applied Microeconomics. Specific Topic: Economics of Crime, Policy Evaluation, RCT.
Abstract
We provide experimental evidence that monitoring of the police activity through body-worn cameras reduces use-of-force, handcuffs and arrests, and enhances criminal reporting by the police. Stronger treatment effects occur on events ex-ante classified as low risk. Monitoring effects are moderated by officer rank, consistent with a career concern motive by junior officers. Our results stand in sharp contrast with previous literature which, due to often used coarser designs, showed muted or null body-worn camera effects on use of force. We show that these designs are likely to suffer from attenuation biases. Overall, our results show that body-worn cameras robustly de-escalate citizen-police interactions.
By Milan Marcus
Broad Topic: Applied Microeconomics, Urban Economics. Specific Topic: Transportation Economics.
Abstract
In response to the increased cost of living following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Germany introduced a temporary cheap nationwide transport ticket (June–Aug 2022). This paper establishes that lower fares increased ridership and reduced car traffic, then asks if the short-term shock produced persistent changes in behaviour. Using air pollution, peak-hour traffic and transit ridership from 30+ German cities, the paper investigates whether some motorists continued using public transport after fares returned to normal.
By Kristen Yang
Broad Topic: Development Economics. Specific Topic: Industrial Policy.
Abstract
The talk compares the effects of industrial policy across East Asian countries using staggered diff-in-diff and counterfactual methods, assessing whether temporary or persistent policy differences explain divergent growth trajectories.
By Brooklyn Han
Broad Topic: Applied Microeconomic Theory. Specific Topic: Information Design, Coordination Games, Economics of Culture.
Abstract
Using an information design approach, the paper investigates optimal government communication in societies with cultural heterogeneity that affects equilibrium selection in coordination games. Results highlight how cultural strength and diversity shape the optimal communication policy, with applications to policymaking during crises and cross-country differences in public messaging.
15/02 — The Effects of Economic Information on Household Expectations and Economic Literacy
By Peter Rickards
Broad Topic: Applied Macroeconomics, Experimental Economics. Specific Topic: Economic Expectations, Information Effects, Economic Literacy.
Abstract
This paper uses an RCT to investigate the impact of informational treatments on household expectations and economic literacy in Australia.
By Stefania Merone
Broad Topic: Microeconomic Theory, Behavioral Economics. Specific Topic: Choice under Uncertainty.
Abstract
The paper proposes a framework to model time-inconsistency by deviating minimally from the discounted utility assumption through non-stationary instantaneous utility, producing testable implications on intertemporal choice.
By Tiansui Tu
Broad Topic: Public Economics. Specific Topic: Unemployment Insurance, Education Economics.
Abstract
Using business-closure IVs and NLSY79, the paper studies how parental UI receipt when children are 10–17 affects high-school graduation at 18/19, and complements reduced-form evidence with a simple structural model.
08/03 — Controlled Foreign Corporation Rules under Heterogeneous Home Country Taxation
By Gerwin Kiessling
Broad Topic: Public Economics. Specific Topic: International Corporate Taxation.
Abstract
This paper examines how CFC rules affect multinationals' financial decisions when home-country corporate tax rates vary (using German municipality variation and administrative foreign investment panels).