Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Economics
University of Washington, Seattle
2014

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Economics
University of Washington, Seattle
2012

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Economics
National University of Kaohsiung
2008

Labor Economics

Household Economics

Public Policy

Economics of Crime

Intermediate Microeconomics

Economics 170 is a rigorous but nonmathematical development of the fundamental concepts in microeconomics and is therefore broadly accessible to economics and non-economics majors alike. The focus in the course is entirely on economics. Our goal here is twofold: First, to continue to develop a way of thinking that underlies all economic analysis – a way of thinking that is independent of math skills and broadly applicable to many facets of life in business, politics as well as personal decision making. Second, we are building a foundation for those of you who choose to go on in economics to better integrate economics with the more technical tools that you will be introduced to.

Labor Economics I

The objective of this course is (1) to learn traditional topics in labor economics, (2) to develop ability to critically read research papers and (3) to efficiently present your ideas, and (4) to encourage the development of independent research interests.

Statistics

Eviction moratoria and race disparities of eviction filing rates in the U.S

Eviction moratoria and race disparities of eviction filing rates in the U.S

During the COVID-19 pandemic, US states enacted moratoria on evictions. Leveraging detailed administrative eviction filing data, we analyse the effects of eviction moratoria on eviction filings. Depending on the specification, we estimate that eviction filings declined by 75% in moratorium states relative to states with no moratorium in effect. We then impute the race and gender of renters facing eviction. We find significant and robust reductions in filings for all groups except Asian males. We estimate that eviction moratoria reduced eviction filings for Black, Hispanic and Asian renters significantly more than white renters, and women more than men. The simplest explanation for this disparity is that non-white (female) renters are disproportionately evicted compared to white (male) renters in general, and preventing evictions in a broad, uniform manner would thus disproportionately affect these groups.

Unemployment insurance generosity and intimate partner violence

Unemployment insurance generosity and intimate partner violence

We examine the relationship between unemployment insurance generosity and reported intimate partner violence in the U.S. by leveraging the staggered adoption of the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program, which increased unemployment insurance payments by $600 per week in 2020. Using detailed nationwide police report data, we find that states that implemented this program reported 9% more cases of intimate partner violence (IPV) than states which had not yet implemented the program, driven primarily by increases in aggravated assault, intimidation, and sexual assault. This is consistent with prior evidence on changes in government transfers and IPV. These results are not explained by local differences in unemployment, sheltering in place, economic impact payments, COVID-19 case rates, or temperature. We also find a decrease in total reported IPV against men, but more serious offenses increase.

The Minimum Wage as a Tool for Racial Economic Justice

The Minimum Wage as a Tool for Racial Economic Justice

Participants at the 1963 civil rights march on Washington supported minimum wage laws using arguments of economic justice. Many economists at the time argued against the minimum wage based on efficiency concerns rooted in neoclassical theory. After decades of debate, where does the economics profession stand on the justice and efficiency claims of the minimum wage? We discuss the evolution of the minimum wage literature in economics, focusing on racial justice. We highlight recent empirical papers that overwhelmingly support the position of the marchers on Washington while at the same time showing little to no loss of economic efficiency.

CARES and Crime

CARES and Crime

The US signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March 2020 to alleviate the harsh economic effects of the pandemic and related shutdowns. A substantial part of the bill expanded and increased unemployment insurance payments, where a growing area of research estimates strong anti-poverty effects. The authors examine the effect of these policies on crime.

COVID-19 and Domestic Violence: Economics or Isolation?

COVID-19 and Domestic Violence: Economics or Isolation?

Recent studies estimate that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increases reports of domestic violence in several countries. Using mobile device tracking data, city-level unemployment data, and new data on labor market conditions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, we isolate the effects of unemployment and staying at home on incidents of domestic violence. We find that unemployment decreases domestic violence after controlling for the degree to which people stay at home. We also provide evidence that staying at home increases domestic violence. However, we find that the effects of unemployment and staying at home are concentrated right after an initial shock from mid-March to mid-June 2020. Finally, we find that some labor market conditions linked to COVID-19, such as being prevented from looking for work due to the pandemic, decrease domestic violence, and these labor market effects are often gendered.