Erik James

I am a PhD student in Wharton's Applied Economics program at the University of Pennsylvania. My primary field is public economics. 

The first half of my research agenda focuses on the administration and design of public benefit programs. My job market paper investigates the impact of managers on output and decision making in the public sector by utilizing administrative data for SNAP and Medicaid in a large U.S. state. The second half of my research agenda focuses on the food retail environment, household nutrition, and food banks. 

Prior to graduate school, I worked at J-PAL North America / MIT and completed my BA in economics at the University of Chicago.

I will be on the job market during the 2024-2025 academic year.

ecjames@wharton.upenn.edu