I am a Professor of Economics at Seattle University. I mainly study household behavior and demography in low- and middle-income countries, with forays into methods and criminal justice. Below are examples of some of my recent research. More is available under the “Research” link.
Latest Research
Sub-Saharan Africa’s fertility levels are markedly higher than those of other regions. Using individual-level data, I show that the differences in fertility emerge among women with some primary education and narrow at higher levels. I argue that these patterns reflect lower school quality and higher child mortality in sub-Saharan Africa.
Impact of Twin Lockdowns on Hunger, Labor Market Outcomes, and Household Coping Mechanisms
Uganda’s strict COVID-19 lockdowns led to substantial and persistent increases in household food insecurity, driven by income losses across agricultural, business, and wage sectors. Using longitudinal data, we show that coping mechanisms such as remittances and government assistance proved ineffective, and that many households shifted toward agriculture in response.