Hello! I am a Professor of Economics at University College Dublin and the Head of the UCD School of Economics. My research is in applied microeconomics, with a strong focus on human capital. I address three main research questions:
I answer these questions with causal inference techniques and a combination of survey, regional, and administrative data.
I am passionate about teaching econometrics and data analytics. I run a YouTube channel with over 70 videos on causal inference and public economics. At the moment, I am piloting intuitivemetrix.com, a platform that teaches econometrics through animations, videos, and simple explanations. Stay tuned for that!. I am also in the process of creating a new MSc Course Causal Inference and Policy Evaluation, which will be offered for the first time in spring 2024. For my contribution to teaching and learning, I have recently received the Teaching Excellence Award by the UCD College of Social Sciences and Law.
Since joining UCD in 2018, I have built the structured MLitt/PhD Programme in Economics -- the only structured PhD programme in economics in Ireland -- and the M.Sc Economics and Data Analytics, which launches in 2023. Before joining UCD, I spent five wonderful years at the Institute of Labor Economics (IZA) in Bonn/Germany, where I remain involved as a Research Fellow.
I am a co-editor of the journal Research in Labor Economics.
Photo credit: Shimaa Salem
My main teaching focus is on econometrics, and I am passionate about teaching this important toolbox to students. To help students on their journey, I run a YouTube Channel with explainer videos, and I am currently working on a website called intuitivemetrix.com that teaches econometrics through intuitive explanations and visuals.
For my achievemens in teaching and learning, I received the Teaching Excellence Award by the UCD College of Social Sciences and Law in 2022.
Econometrics (ECON30130), at UCD, since 2018
Public Economics (ECON30190), at UCD, 2019-2022
Economics of Migration, at University of Regensburg, 2018
European Labor Markets, at European Business School, 2014-2017
Econometrics (ECON50580), PhD, at UCD, since 2019
Causal Inference and Policy Evaluation (ECON42470), MSc, at UCD, from 2024
Introduction to Econometrics for Business PhD Students, at European Business School, 2014-2020
Economics of Migration, PhD, at University of Luxembourg, 2017
Since joining UCD, I have created two postgraduate programmes:
Diego Zambiasi (2021, now lecturer with tenure at Newcastle University)
Emanuele Albarosa (2022, now at the International Organization for Migration, Ukraine)
Stefano Ceolotto (2022, PhD at TCD, co-advisor w/ Eleanor Denny; first job: post-doc at ESRI; now post-doc at CMCC)
Michele Gubello (2023, joint supervision with Sarah Parlane; first job: post-doc at ESRI)
Mohsin Javed (since 2019, joint supervision with Chris Jepsen; first job: Assistant Professor at DCU)
Dimitrios Argyros (since 2021)
Manvi Jindal (since 2022)
Aditi Kharb (since 2022, joint supervision with Chris Jepsen)
Chiara Litardi (since 2024)