Becker Friedman Institute for Economics
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The Becker Friedman Institute at the University of Chicago supports inquiry on significant economic and policy questions. Repost/Follow ≠ endorsement.
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Stay informed with BFI's Weekly Briefing🗞️—your source for the latest research insights, upcoming events, and more from the Becker Friedman Institute for Economics.
👉Subscribe now: bfi.uchicago.edu/subscribe
👉Subscribe now: bfi.uchicago.edu/subscribe
The latest BFI Weekly Briefing is out! 🗞️💡📈
Catch up on new research, policy-relevant insights, and updates from the Becker Friedman Institute. Read it here: https://ow.ly/Fsc350Y9Xyi
Catch up on new research, policy-relevant insights, and updates from the Becker Friedman Institute. Read it here: https://ow.ly/Fsc350Y9Xyi
February 6, 2026 at 3:22 PM
The latest BFI Weekly Briefing is out! 🗞️💡📈
Catch up on new research, policy-relevant insights, and updates from the Becker Friedman Institute. Read it here: https://ow.ly/Fsc350Y9Xyi
Catch up on new research, policy-relevant insights, and updates from the Becker Friedman Institute. Read it here: https://ow.ly/Fsc350Y9Xyi
District-run public school choice boosts achievement—about one grade level. But opt-in systems miss the students who’d benefit most. New research shows mandatory centralized assignment could double these gains. Campos, Chyn, Bruhn & Vazquez https://ow.ly/w2P950Y9AxR
Who Chooses and Who Benefits? The Design of Public School Choice Systems | Becker Friedman Institute
Over the last two decades, US public school districts have rapidly expanded school choice, providing students with options such as magnet schools, dual-language programs, and theme-based academies, all within their own districts. These reforms are aimed at combatting stark educational disparities—within the same district, students at the lowest-performing schools fall nearly two-thirds of a grade Read more...
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February 5, 2026 at 9:34 PM
District-run public school choice boosts achievement—about one grade level. But opt-in systems miss the students who’d benefit most. New research shows mandatory centralized assignment could double these gains. Campos, Chyn, Bruhn & Vazquez https://ow.ly/w2P950Y9AxR
Looking for a smart, weekly snapshot of UChicago Economics? BFI's Weekly Briefing brings together new research, events, and conversations from across the Becker Friedman Institute.
Subscribe here: https://ow.ly/bVE250Y5rlu
Subscribe here: https://ow.ly/bVE250Y5rlu
February 4, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Looking for a smart, weekly snapshot of UChicago Economics? BFI's Weekly Briefing brings together new research, events, and conversations from across the Becker Friedman Institute.
Subscribe here: https://ow.ly/bVE250Y5rlu
Subscribe here: https://ow.ly/bVE250Y5rlu
Introduction to Chicago Economics: Macroeconomic Analysis is now open.
Designed for rising high school seniors, this summer program introduces macroeconomic analysis through data, theory, and real-world application—true to the Chicago Economics tradition. https://ow.ly/pNcG50Y8rHi
Designed for rising high school seniors, this summer program introduces macroeconomic analysis through data, theory, and real-world application—true to the Chicago Economics tradition. https://ow.ly/pNcG50Y8rHi
February 3, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Introduction to Chicago Economics: Macroeconomic Analysis is now open.
Designed for rising high school seniors, this summer program introduces macroeconomic analysis through data, theory, and real-world application—true to the Chicago Economics tradition. https://ow.ly/pNcG50Y8rHi
Designed for rising high school seniors, this summer program introduces macroeconomic analysis through data, theory, and real-world application—true to the Chicago Economics tradition. https://ow.ly/pNcG50Y8rHi
Who really paid for the 2025 tariffs?
UChicago economist Brent Neiman returns to The Pie to discuss new research with Gita Gopinath on tariff incidence, why U.S. importers bore most costs, and the long-term economic and diplomatic fallout.
🎧: https://ow.ly/FcuV50Y8rpk
UChicago economist Brent Neiman returns to The Pie to discuss new research with Gita Gopinath on tariff incidence, why U.S. importers bore most costs, and the long-term economic and diplomatic fallout.
🎧: https://ow.ly/FcuV50Y8rpk
February 3, 2026 at 8:22 PM
Who really paid for the 2025 tariffs?
UChicago economist Brent Neiman returns to The Pie to discuss new research with Gita Gopinath on tariff incidence, why U.S. importers bore most costs, and the long-term economic and diplomatic fallout.
🎧: https://ow.ly/FcuV50Y8rpk
UChicago economist Brent Neiman returns to The Pie to discuss new research with Gita Gopinath on tariff incidence, why U.S. importers bore most costs, and the long-term economic and diplomatic fallout.
🎧: https://ow.ly/FcuV50Y8rpk
Applications are now open for the 2026 Price Theory Summer Camp!
Designed for PhD students outside UChicago, the program focuses on applying core economic tools to real problems.
🗓️ June 14–18
📝 Apply by March 1
🔗 https://ow.ly/k6ON50Y8mQt
Designed for PhD students outside UChicago, the program focuses on applying core economic tools to real problems.
🗓️ June 14–18
📝 Apply by March 1
🔗 https://ow.ly/k6ON50Y8mQt
February 3, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Applications are now open for the 2026 Price Theory Summer Camp!
Designed for PhD students outside UChicago, the program focuses on applying core economic tools to real problems.
🗓️ June 14–18
📝 Apply by March 1
🔗 https://ow.ly/k6ON50Y8mQt
Designed for PhD students outside UChicago, the program focuses on applying core economic tools to real problems.
🗓️ June 14–18
📝 Apply by March 1
🔗 https://ow.ly/k6ON50Y8mQt
Reposted by Becker Friedman Institute for Economics
Please apply! This year we're especially interested in early-stage projects so slide decks are welcome :)
Call for Papers: The 2026 Women in Empirical Microeconomics Conference will be held Oct 16–17 at UChicago’s David Rubenstein Forum. All early-career, tenure-track scholars are invited to submit works in progress across empirical micro fields.
🔗 https://ow.ly/Z00L50Y5vAH
🔗 https://ow.ly/Z00L50Y5vAH
Call for Papers: 2026 Women in Empirical Microeconomics Conference | Becker Friedman Institute
Organizers and Scientific Committee: Pauline Carry, Princeton University Renata Gaineddenova, Harvard University Virginia Minni, University of Chicago Manasvini Singh, Carnegie Mellon University Scientific Committee: Yunan Ji, Georgetown University Anna Russo, Harvard University Ambra Seck, Harvard University Garima Sharma, Northwestern University The Becker Friedman Institute at the University of Chicago invites you to submit an academic paper for consideration for presentation Read more...
ow.ly
January 30, 2026 at 1:52 AM
Please apply! This year we're especially interested in early-stage projects so slide decks are welcome :)
Reposted by Becker Friedman Institute for Economics
Deadline approaching! Women in Empirical Micro Conference in Chicago
Please send us your empirical papers. We look forward to reading your submissions!
Quote
Please send us your empirical papers. We look forward to reading your submissions!
Quote
Call for Papers: The 2026 Women in Empirical Microeconomics Conference will be held Oct 16–17 at UChicago’s David Rubenstein Forum. All early-career, tenure-track scholars are invited to submit works in progress across empirical micro fields.
🔗 https://ow.ly/Z00L50Y5vAH
🔗 https://ow.ly/Z00L50Y5vAH
Call for Papers: 2026 Women in Empirical Microeconomics Conference | Becker Friedman Institute
Organizers and Scientific Committee: Pauline Carry, Princeton University Renata Gaineddenova, Harvard University Virginia Minni, University of Chicago Manasvini Singh, Carnegie Mellon University Scientific Committee: Yunan Ji, Georgetown University Anna Russo, Harvard University Ambra Seck, Harvard University Garima Sharma, Northwestern University The Becker Friedman Institute at the University of Chicago invites you to submit an academic paper for consideration for presentation Read more...
ow.ly
January 30, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Deadline approaching! Women in Empirical Micro Conference in Chicago
Please send us your empirical papers. We look forward to reading your submissions!
Quote
Please send us your empirical papers. We look forward to reading your submissions!
Quote
How should we understand human capital, and why does it still matter today?
A new Business Economics review examines UChicago economist Pablo Peña's "Human Capital for Humans", connecting modern research to the foundations laid by Gary Becker. https://ow.ly/qynH50Y6yZS
A new Business Economics review examines UChicago economist Pablo Peña's "Human Capital for Humans", connecting modern research to the foundations laid by Gary Becker. https://ow.ly/qynH50Y6yZS
January 30, 2026 at 8:31 PM
How should we understand human capital, and why does it still matter today?
A new Business Economics review examines UChicago economist Pablo Peña's "Human Capital for Humans", connecting modern research to the foundations laid by Gary Becker. https://ow.ly/qynH50Y6yZS
A new Business Economics review examines UChicago economist Pablo Peña's "Human Capital for Humans", connecting modern research to the foundations laid by Gary Becker. https://ow.ly/qynH50Y6yZS
94 cents of every dollar in tariffs comes out of U.S. buyers’ pockets.
Watch BFI's Executive Director Ben Krause discuss UChicago economists’ research on PBS Chicago Tonight and what it means for consumers and trade policy. https://ow.ly/Bt8H50Y6suU
Watch BFI's Executive Director Ben Krause discuss UChicago economists’ research on PBS Chicago Tonight and what it means for consumers and trade policy. https://ow.ly/Bt8H50Y6suU
Chicago Tonight | The Supreme Court Has Yet to Decide on Trump's Tariffs | Season 2026
Nearly three months have elapsed since arguments in the closely watched case.
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January 30, 2026 at 5:49 PM
94 cents of every dollar in tariffs comes out of U.S. buyers’ pockets.
Watch BFI's Executive Director Ben Krause discuss UChicago economists’ research on PBS Chicago Tonight and what it means for consumers and trade policy. https://ow.ly/Bt8H50Y6suU
Watch BFI's Executive Director Ben Krause discuss UChicago economists’ research on PBS Chicago Tonight and what it means for consumers and trade policy. https://ow.ly/Bt8H50Y6suU
New research by Soeren J. Henn and James Robinson challenges common views of pre-colonial Africa. Decentralized political systems prioritized local communities and shaped economic institutions around shared goals rather than centralized control or personal accumulation.
🔗 https://ow.ly/7aXE50Y5shY
🔗 https://ow.ly/7aXE50Y5shY
Africa as a Success Story: Political Organization in Pre-Colonial Africa | Becker Friedman Institute
Social science research has long credited the emergence of politically centralized states with the development of institutions that enhance public good provision and better development outcomes, as well as allowing for the ability to fight wars, collect taxes, conduct international trade, manage natural resources, and otherwise respond to the demands of both state leaders and Read more...
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January 30, 2026 at 3:55 PM
New research by Soeren J. Henn and James Robinson challenges common views of pre-colonial Africa. Decentralized political systems prioritized local communities and shaped economic institutions around shared goals rather than centralized control or personal accumulation.
🔗 https://ow.ly/7aXE50Y5shY
🔗 https://ow.ly/7aXE50Y5shY
New research by Gita Gopinath and Brent Neiman examines the real impact of US tariffs. While statutory rates rose sharply, shipping lags, exemptions, and enforcement gaps cut effective rates in half—yet pass-through to import prices neared 100%.
🔗 https://ow.ly/Q6tw50Y5rXW
🔗 https://ow.ly/Q6tw50Y5rXW
The Incidence of Tariffs: Rates and Reality | Becker Friedman Institute
Statutory tariff rates (which can differ from actual rates) on US imports have risen dramatically to levels not seen since the 1930s, with the trade-weighted average rate at 27% in September 2025. Imports from 176 exporters, on goods accounting for more than 70% of total US imports, faced higher tariffs than at the end of Read more...
ow.ly
January 29, 2026 at 8:50 PM
New research by Gita Gopinath and Brent Neiman examines the real impact of US tariffs. While statutory rates rose sharply, shipping lags, exemptions, and enforcement gaps cut effective rates in half—yet pass-through to import prices neared 100%.
🔗 https://ow.ly/Q6tw50Y5rXW
🔗 https://ow.ly/Q6tw50Y5rXW
Call for Papers: The 2026 Women in Empirical Microeconomics Conference will be held Oct 16–17 at UChicago’s David Rubenstein Forum. All early-career, tenure-track scholars are invited to submit works in progress across empirical micro fields.
🔗 https://ow.ly/Z00L50Y5vAH
🔗 https://ow.ly/Z00L50Y5vAH
Call for Papers: 2026 Women in Empirical Microeconomics Conference | Becker Friedman Institute
Organizers and Scientific Committee: Pauline Carry, Princeton University Renata Gaineddenova, Harvard University Virginia Minni, University of Chicago Manasvini Singh, Carnegie Mellon University Scientific Committee: Yunan Ji, Georgetown University Anna Russo, Harvard University Ambra Seck, Harvard University Garima Sharma, Northwestern University The Becker Friedman Institute at the University of Chicago invites you to submit an academic paper for consideration for presentation Read more...
ow.ly
January 29, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Call for Papers: The 2026 Women in Empirical Microeconomics Conference will be held Oct 16–17 at UChicago’s David Rubenstein Forum. All early-career, tenure-track scholars are invited to submit works in progress across empirical micro fields.
🔗 https://ow.ly/Z00L50Y5vAH
🔗 https://ow.ly/Z00L50Y5vAH
Looking for a smart, weekly snapshot of UChicago Economics? BFI's Weekly Briefing brings together new research, events, and conversations from across the Becker Friedman Institute.
Subscribe here: https://ow.ly/gcrX50Y5rlw
Subscribe here: https://ow.ly/gcrX50Y5rlw
January 29, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Looking for a smart, weekly snapshot of UChicago Economics? BFI's Weekly Briefing brings together new research, events, and conversations from across the Becker Friedman Institute.
Subscribe here: https://ow.ly/gcrX50Y5rlw
Subscribe here: https://ow.ly/gcrX50Y5rlw
Miss out on this week's BFI Weekly Briefing? Catch up on the latest research, events, opportunities, and more here: https://ow.ly/gkuV50Y1Obn
January 23, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Miss out on this week's BFI Weekly Briefing? Catch up on the latest research, events, opportunities, and more here: https://ow.ly/gkuV50Y1Obn
We’re excited to spotlight our current Saieh Family Fellows in Economics at Becker Friedman Institute. The program supports early-career scholars as they pursue independent research and collaborate across campus. Meet our current fellows here: https://ow.ly/TvLF50Y1mC7
January 22, 2026 at 6:42 PM
We’re excited to spotlight our current Saieh Family Fellows in Economics at Becker Friedman Institute. The program supports early-career scholars as they pursue independent research and collaborate across campus. Meet our current fellows here: https://ow.ly/TvLF50Y1mC7
What does the U.S. military’s capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro mean for Venezuela & the region? 🎧 UChicago experts Chris Blattman, Ryan Kellogg, and Paul Poast join Rebecca Wolfe to break it down — decline, migration, and what comes next.
👉 https://ow.ly/Yvfa50Y0mcG
👉 https://ow.ly/Yvfa50Y0mcG
January 20, 2026 at 9:05 PM
What does the U.S. military’s capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro mean for Venezuela & the region? 🎧 UChicago experts Chris Blattman, Ryan Kellogg, and Paul Poast join Rebecca Wolfe to break it down — decline, migration, and what comes next.
👉 https://ow.ly/Yvfa50Y0mcG
👉 https://ow.ly/Yvfa50Y0mcG
Closed visas can trap temporary foreign workers in worse jobs. New research shows that gaining permanent residency increases job switching by 21.7 percentage points and raises earnings by 5.7%—with lasting effects.
January 20, 2026 at 8:22 PM
Closed visas can trap temporary foreign workers in worse jobs. New research shows that gaining permanent residency increases job switching by 21.7 percentage points and raises earnings by 5.7%—with lasting effects.
Reposted by Becker Friedman Institute for Economics
Very excited to see this conference back alive!
I really enjoyed the interactions between econometricians & applied micro people
I really enjoyed the interactions between econometricians & applied micro people
📢 Call for Papers: 2026 Interactions Conference
Bringing together econometrics & applied micro to improve modern empirical practice.
📍 May 15–16, 2026 | David Rubenstein Forum
🗓 Submissions due Feb. 15, 2026 https://ow.ly/8o3h50XY6p1
Bringing together econometrics & applied micro to improve modern empirical practice.
📍 May 15–16, 2026 | David Rubenstein Forum
🗓 Submissions due Feb. 15, 2026 https://ow.ly/8o3h50XY6p1
Call for Papers: 2026 Interactions Conference: Bringing Together Econometrics and Applied Microeconomics | Becker Friedman Institute
We welcome all submissions for the 2026 Interactions Conference. This conference will bring together empirical researchers and methodologists to improve modern econometric practice. This conference will be hosted by the Becker Friedman Institute for Economics on May 15-16, 2026, at the David Rubenstein Forum. All interested researchers are invited to send submissions for consideration by Read more...
ow.ly
January 16, 2026 at 11:33 PM
Very excited to see this conference back alive!
I really enjoyed the interactions between econometricians & applied micro people
I really enjoyed the interactions between econometricians & applied micro people
📢 Call for Papers: 2026 Interactions Conference
Bringing together econometrics & applied micro to improve modern empirical practice.
📍 May 15–16, 2026 | David Rubenstein Forum
🗓 Submissions due Feb. 15, 2026 https://ow.ly/8o3h50XY6p1
Bringing together econometrics & applied micro to improve modern empirical practice.
📍 May 15–16, 2026 | David Rubenstein Forum
🗓 Submissions due Feb. 15, 2026 https://ow.ly/8o3h50XY6p1
Call for Papers: 2026 Interactions Conference: Bringing Together Econometrics and Applied Microeconomics | Becker Friedman Institute
We welcome all submissions for the 2026 Interactions Conference. This conference will bring together empirical researchers and methodologists to improve modern econometric practice. This conference will be hosted by the Becker Friedman Institute for Economics on May 15-16, 2026, at the David Rubenstein Forum. All interested researchers are invited to send submissions for consideration by Read more...
ow.ly
January 16, 2026 at 6:02 PM
📢 Call for Papers: 2026 Interactions Conference
Bringing together econometrics & applied micro to improve modern empirical practice.
📍 May 15–16, 2026 | David Rubenstein Forum
🗓 Submissions due Feb. 15, 2026 https://ow.ly/8o3h50XY6p1
Bringing together econometrics & applied micro to improve modern empirical practice.
📍 May 15–16, 2026 | David Rubenstein Forum
🗓 Submissions due Feb. 15, 2026 https://ow.ly/8o3h50XY6p1
BFI is an intellectual destination for leading scholars in economics and related fields. By bringing researchers together across disciplines, we create space for new ideas, shared perspectives, and meaningful collaboration. Meet our scholars: https://bfi.uchicago.edu/scholars/
Scholars | Becker Friedman Institute
bfi.uchicago.edu
January 14, 2026 at 6:30 PM
BFI is an intellectual destination for leading scholars in economics and related fields. By bringing researchers together across disciplines, we create space for new ideas, shared perspectives, and meaningful collaboration. Meet our scholars: https://bfi.uchicago.edu/scholars/
Stay informed with BFI’s Weekly Briefing📰—your go-to for the latest in economic research, expert insights, and upcoming events. Smart reads, straight to your inbox. Subscribe here 🔗 https://ow.ly/NvYh50QGICu
January 14, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Stay informed with BFI’s Weekly Briefing📰—your go-to for the latest in economic research, expert insights, and upcoming events. Smart reads, straight to your inbox. Subscribe here 🔗 https://ow.ly/NvYh50QGICu
Why do banks exist—and why are they so vulnerable to failure?
In this Extra Slice of The Pie, Nobel laureate Douglas W. Diamond explains how short-term debt drives financial crises, from the S&L collapse to 2008—and why bank runs remain a central risk. 🎙️ https://ow.ly/L8aO50XWnVv
In this Extra Slice of The Pie, Nobel laureate Douglas W. Diamond explains how short-term debt drives financial crises, from the S&L collapse to 2008—and why bank runs remain a central risk. 🎙️ https://ow.ly/L8aO50XWnVv
January 13, 2026 at 8:23 PM
Why do banks exist—and why are they so vulnerable to failure?
In this Extra Slice of The Pie, Nobel laureate Douglas W. Diamond explains how short-term debt drives financial crises, from the S&L collapse to 2008—and why bank runs remain a central risk. 🎙️ https://ow.ly/L8aO50XWnVv
In this Extra Slice of The Pie, Nobel laureate Douglas W. Diamond explains how short-term debt drives financial crises, from the S&L collapse to 2008—and why bank runs remain a central risk. 🎙️ https://ow.ly/L8aO50XWnVv
BFI research briefs distill rigorous economic research into timely insights on markets, policy, and society—designed for decision-makers and the public alike.
Read more at the Becker Friedman Institute.
https://bfi.uchicago.edu/insights/research-summaries/
Read more at the Becker Friedman Institute.
https://bfi.uchicago.edu/insights/research-summaries/
Research Brief Library | Becker Friedman Institute
bfi.uchicago.edu
January 13, 2026 at 5:07 PM
BFI research briefs distill rigorous economic research into timely insights on markets, policy, and society—designed for decision-makers and the public alike.
Read more at the Becker Friedman Institute.
https://bfi.uchicago.edu/insights/research-summaries/
Read more at the Becker Friedman Institute.
https://bfi.uchicago.edu/insights/research-summaries/
📣 Call for Papers: AI in the Workplace Conference
Researchers, AI scientists, and industry experts are invited to share work on how AI is reshaping labor markets.
🗓️ Submit by Feb. 15, 2026
🏆 Awards announced March 15
🔗 https://ow.ly/W6no50XSbTj
Researchers, AI scientists, and industry experts are invited to share work on how AI is reshaping labor markets.
🗓️ Submit by Feb. 15, 2026
🏆 Awards announced March 15
🔗 https://ow.ly/W6no50XSbTj
January 12, 2026 at 10:20 PM
📣 Call for Papers: AI in the Workplace Conference
Researchers, AI scientists, and industry experts are invited to share work on how AI is reshaping labor markets.
🗓️ Submit by Feb. 15, 2026
🏆 Awards announced March 15
🔗 https://ow.ly/W6no50XSbTj
Researchers, AI scientists, and industry experts are invited to share work on how AI is reshaping labor markets.
🗓️ Submit by Feb. 15, 2026
🏆 Awards announced March 15
🔗 https://ow.ly/W6no50XSbTj