Professor of Economics | School of Economics | University of Sydney
News: I am currently on sabbatical August 2025-February 2026.
In the last decade, I have produced a program of research on lifecycle dynamics of non-cognitive skills, health and economic preferences. In recent years, I have shifted my focus of attention on the question of whether and how public policy affects human development, household wellbeing and inequality. I am particularly interested in government paternalism to deal with negative externalities of alleged problem behaviours. I use linked administrative, cohort and longitudinal survey data, in combination with solid causal identification strategies (where possible) in my research studies.
People in my team are working on a range of topics including the wellbeing of Indigenous children & communities, impacts of child protection interventions, alcohol restrictions, care at birth & forced separation. Contact me directly if you want to engage with my research team & topics. Em: stefanie.schurer@sydney.edu.au
I am a co-editor of Labour Economics (Elsevier).
I acknowledge that my research is currently (actively) funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Medical Research Future Fund, the Australian Public Policy Institute, and the Rockwool Foundation.