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 - Libertad Gonzalez (UPF)
Title: Born Too Soon? The Educational Costs of Early Elective Deliveries (with Parijat Maitra)
Abstract: Low birthweight is linked to adverse long-term outcomes, including lower educational attainment. However, disentangling the causes of this association is challenging, as low birthweight can result from both shortened gestation and impaired fetal growth. We leverage a natural experiment in Spain, where a surge in early elective deliveries, triggered by the cancellation of a generous child benefit, led to lower birthweight and reduced gestational age for non-medical reasons. Using a difference-in-differences approach with adjacent cohorts as controls, we find that early birth had no lasting impact on health outcomes, but affected children performed significantly worse in school, pointing to detrimental effects on cognitive development.