Melissa S. Kearney
University of Maryland, College Park, National Bureau of Economic Research
Papers
2
Total Citations
198
H-Index
2
About
Melissa S. Kearney is a leading economist whose research illuminates the economic forces shaping American families and labor markets. Her work centers on three key areas: the causes and consequences of declining U.S. employment, the economics of children and families, and the socioeconomic determinants of well-being. Her most influential contributions include a landmark review of the decline in the U.S. employment-to-population ratio, which has garnered nearly 200 citations. In this work, she meticulously documents how population aging and other structural factors have driven the persistent drop in employment rates between 1999 and 2018, providing a crucial framework for policymakers. Beyond this, Kearney has produced seminal research on the economic impacts of children’s living arrangements, the effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit, and the role of social safety nets. As a professor at the University of Maryland and a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, she regularly shapes public discourse through her accessible writing. Her notable achievements include serving as a senior economist on the Council of Economic Advisers and co-directing the NBER’s Working Group on Children. For students and researchers, Kearney’s work offers a rigorous, data-driven lens on the most pressing economic challenges facing American households today.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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