Robert Metcalfe
@rmetcalfe.bsky.social
Economist, Prof at Columbia University.
Chief Economist: Centre for Net Zero (Octopus Energy Group).
Co-editor: Journal of Public Economics.
1st gen, 🏴
https://www.rmetcalfe.net/
Chief Economist: Centre for Net Zero (Octopus Energy Group).
Co-editor: Journal of Public Economics.
1st gen, 🏴
https://www.rmetcalfe.net/
We admit 5-6 students per year into a tight knit community. The placement in the past has been outstanding, and the alumni of the program is a huge added benefit.
November 17, 2025 at 7:27 PM
We admit 5-6 students per year into a tight knit community. The placement in the past has been outstanding, and the alumni of the program is a huge added benefit.
Interested in a PhD program that offers students the opportunity to do interdisciplinary research at the nexus of natural science and economics? Please join us for a SustDev information session December 4 from 10:15-12 ET.
Sign up here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Sign up here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
November 17, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Interested in a PhD program that offers students the opportunity to do interdisciplinary research at the nexus of natural science and economics? Please join us for a SustDev information session December 4 from 10:15-12 ET.
Sign up here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Sign up here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Second is Hayeon Jeong.
JMP: Does Greater Policy Intensity Improve Policy
effectiveness? Evidence from Seoul, South Korea
Website: sites.google.com/view/hayeonj...
Interests: Environmental Econ, Behavioral Econ
JMP: Does Greater Policy Intensity Improve Policy
effectiveness? Evidence from Seoul, South Korea
Website: sites.google.com/view/hayeonj...
Interests: Environmental Econ, Behavioral Econ
November 5, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Second is Hayeon Jeong.
JMP: Does Greater Policy Intensity Improve Policy
effectiveness? Evidence from Seoul, South Korea
Website: sites.google.com/view/hayeonj...
Interests: Environmental Econ, Behavioral Econ
JMP: Does Greater Policy Intensity Improve Policy
effectiveness? Evidence from Seoul, South Korea
Website: sites.google.com/view/hayeonj...
Interests: Environmental Econ, Behavioral Econ
The first is Hannah Farkas.
JMP: "The Economic Incidence of Schedule Unpredictability in Hourly Work"
Website: hannahfarkas.github.io
Interests: Environmental Econ, Labor Econ
JMP: "The Economic Incidence of Schedule Unpredictability in Hourly Work"
Website: hannahfarkas.github.io
Interests: Environmental Econ, Labor Econ
November 5, 2025 at 11:13 PM
The first is Hannah Farkas.
JMP: "The Economic Incidence of Schedule Unpredictability in Hourly Work"
Website: hannahfarkas.github.io
Interests: Environmental Econ, Labor Econ
JMP: "The Economic Incidence of Schedule Unpredictability in Hourly Work"
Website: hannahfarkas.github.io
Interests: Environmental Econ, Labor Econ
August 12, 2025 at 11:18 AM
3️⃣ Consumers save more on their bills in warmer periods (resource cost per tonne of CO₂ becomes negative), but subsidies have larger welfare impacts when it's colder (larger MVPF), as heat pumps displace more carbon-intensive heating sources.
July 30, 2025 at 10:03 AM
3️⃣ Consumers save more on their bills in warmer periods (resource cost per tonne of CO₂ becomes negative), but subsidies have larger welfare impacts when it's colder (larger MVPF), as heat pumps displace more carbon-intensive heating sources.
3 key insights:
1️⃣ The Coefficient of Performance (COP) averages around 3.5, but drops below 2 during the coldest winter weeks.
2️⃣ This temperature gradient is steeper than predicted by engineering models—read the paper to explore all the reasons why.
1️⃣ The Coefficient of Performance (COP) averages around 3.5, but drops below 2 during the coldest winter weeks.
2️⃣ This temperature gradient is steeper than predicted by engineering models—read the paper to explore all the reasons why.
July 30, 2025 at 10:03 AM
3 key insights:
1️⃣ The Coefficient of Performance (COP) averages around 3.5, but drops below 2 during the coldest winter weeks.
2️⃣ This temperature gradient is steeper than predicted by engineering models—read the paper to explore all the reasons why.
1️⃣ The Coefficient of Performance (COP) averages around 3.5, but drops below 2 during the coldest winter weeks.
2️⃣ This temperature gradient is steeper than predicted by engineering models—read the paper to explore all the reasons why.
Very cool and topical call for papers at Management Science:
“Business and Its Interrelationship with Democratic Resilience, Geopolitics, and Society in a Time of Change.”
October 1, 2025 deadline for 5-page detailed paper proposals.
pubsonline.informs.org/doi/full/10....
“Business and Its Interrelationship with Democratic Resilience, Geopolitics, and Society in a Time of Change.”
October 1, 2025 deadline for 5-page detailed paper proposals.
pubsonline.informs.org/doi/full/10....
July 23, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Very cool and topical call for papers at Management Science:
“Business and Its Interrelationship with Democratic Resilience, Geopolitics, and Society in a Time of Change.”
October 1, 2025 deadline for 5-page detailed paper proposals.
pubsonline.informs.org/doi/full/10....
“Business and Its Interrelationship with Democratic Resilience, Geopolitics, and Society in a Time of Change.”
October 1, 2025 deadline for 5-page detailed paper proposals.
pubsonline.informs.org/doi/full/10....
The authors report that black individuals in the US are 30% less likely to receive UI and receive 46% fewer benefits than White individuals.
Gaps not driven by differences in UI eligibility. Black workers' lower earnings and location in the South explain a large share (but not all) of the gaps.
Gaps not driven by differences in UI eligibility. Black workers' lower earnings and location in the South explain a large share (but not all) of the gaps.
June 30, 2025 at 1:47 PM
The authors report that black individuals in the US are 30% less likely to receive UI and receive 46% fewer benefits than White individuals.
Gaps not driven by differences in UI eligibility. Black workers' lower earnings and location in the South explain a large share (but not all) of the gaps.
Gaps not driven by differences in UI eligibility. Black workers' lower earnings and location in the South explain a large share (but not all) of the gaps.
This is very inconsistent with the evidence from top public finance papers.
Their mobility elasticity is high, and is higher for state/local taxes.
Their mobility elasticity is high, and is higher for state/local taxes.
June 26, 2025 at 7:38 PM
This is very inconsistent with the evidence from top public finance papers.
Their mobility elasticity is high, and is higher for state/local taxes.
Their mobility elasticity is high, and is higher for state/local taxes.
Key results:
1️⃣ A 40% price reduction led to a 117% increase in charging demand.
2️⃣ A 15% price cut led to a 30% increase.
3️⃣ We disentangle behavior: ~50% is substitution from other charging apps, but the other 50% is new, induced demand.
4️⃣ Substantial consumer welfare gains from dynamic pricing.
1️⃣ A 40% price reduction led to a 117% increase in charging demand.
2️⃣ A 15% price cut led to a 30% increase.
3️⃣ We disentangle behavior: ~50% is substitution from other charging apps, but the other 50% is new, induced demand.
4️⃣ Substantial consumer welfare gains from dynamic pricing.
May 21, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Key results:
1️⃣ A 40% price reduction led to a 117% increase in charging demand.
2️⃣ A 15% price cut led to a 30% increase.
3️⃣ We disentangle behavior: ~50% is substitution from other charging apps, but the other 50% is new, induced demand.
4️⃣ Substantial consumer welfare gains from dynamic pricing.
1️⃣ A 40% price reduction led to a 117% increase in charging demand.
2️⃣ A 15% price cut led to a 30% increase.
3️⃣ We disentangle behavior: ~50% is substitution from other charging apps, but the other 50% is new, induced demand.
4️⃣ Substantial consumer welfare gains from dynamic pricing.
In partnership with Octopus Electroverse, we ran a nationwide field experiment across the UK with over 110,000 EV drivers. We randomized public charging prices across 60% of UK public stations to reflect real-time marginal social costs of electricity.
May 21, 2025 at 11:18 AM
In partnership with Octopus Electroverse, we ran a nationwide field experiment across the UK with over 110,000 EV drivers. We randomized public charging prices across 60% of UK public stations to reflect real-time marginal social costs of electricity.
🚨🚗⚡️How responsive are EV drivers to public charging prices?
I'm excited to share our new @centrefornetzero.bsky.social working paper:
“The Impact of Dynamic Prices on Electric Vehicle Public Charging Demand: Evidence from a Nationwide Natural Field Experiment”
I'm excited to share our new @centrefornetzero.bsky.social working paper:
“The Impact of Dynamic Prices on Electric Vehicle Public Charging Demand: Evidence from a Nationwide Natural Field Experiment”
May 21, 2025 at 11:18 AM
🚨🚗⚡️How responsive are EV drivers to public charging prices?
I'm excited to share our new @centrefornetzero.bsky.social working paper:
“The Impact of Dynamic Prices on Electric Vehicle Public Charging Demand: Evidence from a Nationwide Natural Field Experiment”
I'm excited to share our new @centrefornetzero.bsky.social working paper:
“The Impact of Dynamic Prices on Electric Vehicle Public Charging Demand: Evidence from a Nationwide Natural Field Experiment”
And there are many more awesome JMCs to come from this program!
May 1, 2025 at 9:58 PM
And there are many more awesome JMCs to come from this program!
Thrilled to share the fantastic placements of our eight Sustainable Development PhD job market candidates this year!
Anna Papp – Postdoc: MIT Econ | AP: UCSB Bren
Danny Bressler – AP: Bentley Econ
Gabriel Gonzalez Suntil – Economist: Amazon
Isabella Smythe – ML Engineer: Rhizome
Anna Papp – Postdoc: MIT Econ | AP: UCSB Bren
Danny Bressler – AP: Bentley Econ
Gabriel Gonzalez Suntil – Economist: Amazon
Isabella Smythe – ML Engineer: Rhizome
May 1, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Thrilled to share the fantastic placements of our eight Sustainable Development PhD job market candidates this year!
Anna Papp – Postdoc: MIT Econ | AP: UCSB Bren
Danny Bressler – AP: Bentley Econ
Gabriel Gonzalez Suntil – Economist: Amazon
Isabella Smythe – ML Engineer: Rhizome
Anna Papp – Postdoc: MIT Econ | AP: UCSB Bren
Danny Bressler – AP: Bentley Econ
Gabriel Gonzalez Suntil – Economist: Amazon
Isabella Smythe – ML Engineer: Rhizome
Final call for abstracts for AFE2025! @johnlist.bsky.social and I are excited to host another year of the conference at UChicago.
Please submit your abstracts here: fs2.formsite.com/UChicagoEcon...
Deadline: May 9th
Keynotes: Bursztyn (UChicago), Cullen (HBS), and Kremer (UChicago)
#econsky
Please submit your abstracts here: fs2.formsite.com/UChicagoEcon...
Deadline: May 9th
Keynotes: Bursztyn (UChicago), Cullen (HBS), and Kremer (UChicago)
#econsky
April 24, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Final call for abstracts for AFE2025! @johnlist.bsky.social and I are excited to host another year of the conference at UChicago.
Please submit your abstracts here: fs2.formsite.com/UChicagoEcon...
Deadline: May 9th
Keynotes: Bursztyn (UChicago), Cullen (HBS), and Kremer (UChicago)
#econsky
Please submit your abstracts here: fs2.formsite.com/UChicagoEcon...
Deadline: May 9th
Keynotes: Bursztyn (UChicago), Cullen (HBS), and Kremer (UChicago)
#econsky
The EU has a 30x30 plan: protect 30% of land and water by 2030. Has it worked so far?
This innovative paper suggests a resounding no.
Worth a read.
By Tristan Grupp, @mishrap.bsky.social, Mathias Reynaert, & Arthur van Benthem
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/grj9m...
This innovative paper suggests a resounding no.
Worth a read.
By Tristan Grupp, @mishrap.bsky.social, Mathias Reynaert, & Arthur van Benthem
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/grj9m...
March 5, 2025 at 7:04 AM
The EU has a 30x30 plan: protect 30% of land and water by 2030. Has it worked so far?
This innovative paper suggests a resounding no.
Worth a read.
By Tristan Grupp, @mishrap.bsky.social, Mathias Reynaert, & Arthur van Benthem
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/grj9m...
This innovative paper suggests a resounding no.
Worth a read.
By Tristan Grupp, @mishrap.bsky.social, Mathias Reynaert, & Arthur van Benthem
www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/grj9m...
6. The subsidy would pay for itself unless the treatment effects were 90% lower than what we find in our field experiment (outside of our 95% CIs).
February 25, 2025 at 12:23 PM
6. The subsidy would pay for itself unless the treatment effects were 90% lower than what we find in our field experiment (outside of our 95% CIs).
5. Subsidizing air quality tech might pay for itself.
A £1 subsidy for air purifiers or monitors pays for itself through massive health & productivity benefits that flow back to the government. This is the Pareto improvement.
A £1 subsidy for air purifiers or monitors pays for itself through massive health & productivity benefits that flow back to the government. This is the Pareto improvement.
February 25, 2025 at 12:23 PM
5. Subsidizing air quality tech might pay for itself.
A £1 subsidy for air purifiers or monitors pays for itself through massive health & productivity benefits that flow back to the government. This is the Pareto improvement.
A £1 subsidy for air purifiers or monitors pays for itself through massive health & productivity benefits that flow back to the government. This is the Pareto improvement.
4. People are willing to pay for cleaner air.
Households value a 1 µg/m³ reduction in PM2.5 at ~£4.80 ($6).
But interestingly, they’re willing to pay more for mitigation (Philips air purifiers) than for just information (Kaiterra monitors).
Households value a 1 µg/m³ reduction in PM2.5 at ~£4.80 ($6).
But interestingly, they’re willing to pay more for mitigation (Philips air purifiers) than for just information (Kaiterra monitors).
February 25, 2025 at 12:23 PM
4. People are willing to pay for cleaner air.
Households value a 1 µg/m³ reduction in PM2.5 at ~£4.80 ($6).
But interestingly, they’re willing to pay more for mitigation (Philips air purifiers) than for just information (Kaiterra monitors).
Households value a 1 µg/m³ reduction in PM2.5 at ~£4.80 ($6).
But interestingly, they’re willing to pay more for mitigation (Philips air purifiers) than for just information (Kaiterra monitors).
3. Revealing IAP changes behavior.
When households were randomly shown real-time data on their IAP, pollution dropped by 17% overall & 34% during peak exposure times.
How? We find overwhelming evidence that people opened windows more to ventilate. A simple, effective fix.
When households were randomly shown real-time data on their IAP, pollution dropped by 17% overall & 34% during peak exposure times.
How? We find overwhelming evidence that people opened windows more to ventilate. A simple, effective fix.
February 25, 2025 at 12:23 PM
3. Revealing IAP changes behavior.
When households were randomly shown real-time data on their IAP, pollution dropped by 17% overall & 34% during peak exposure times.
How? We find overwhelming evidence that people opened windows more to ventilate. A simple, effective fix.
When households were randomly shown real-time data on their IAP, pollution dropped by 17% overall & 34% during peak exposure times.
How? We find overwhelming evidence that people opened windows more to ventilate. A simple, effective fix.
2. IAP disproportionately harms lower-income households.
Overall, we find a larger income-IAP gradient than the income-ambient pollution gradient, meaning poorer households face significantly higher exposure inside their own homes. Even steeper still in occupancy times.
Overall, we find a larger income-IAP gradient than the income-ambient pollution gradient, meaning poorer households face significantly higher exposure inside their own homes. Even steeper still in occupancy times.
February 25, 2025 at 12:23 PM
2. IAP disproportionately harms lower-income households.
Overall, we find a larger income-IAP gradient than the income-ambient pollution gradient, meaning poorer households face significantly higher exposure inside their own homes. Even steeper still in occupancy times.
Overall, we find a larger income-IAP gradient than the income-ambient pollution gradient, meaning poorer households face significantly higher exposure inside their own homes. Even steeper still in occupancy times.
1. IAP is often worse than outdoor pollution—especially when people are actually at home. 38% of the time, IAP exceeds WHO standards. Yet, indoor pollution gets far less attention than outdoor air quality.
February 25, 2025 at 12:23 PM
1. IAP is often worse than outdoor pollution—especially when people are actually at home. 38% of the time, IAP exceeds WHO standards. Yet, indoor pollution gets far less attention than outdoor air quality.
We just released our paper using a field experiment to reveal indoor air pollution (IAP) in London: It’s worse than you think!
🧵with six main results👇
With @sjroth.bsky.social.
🧵with six main results👇
With @sjroth.bsky.social.
February 25, 2025 at 12:23 PM
We just released our paper using a field experiment to reveal indoor air pollution (IAP) in London: It’s worse than you think!
🧵with six main results👇
With @sjroth.bsky.social.
🧵with six main results👇
With @sjroth.bsky.social.
🚨 Exciting News! 🚨
The 2025 Advances with Field Experiments (AFE) conference is scheduled for Sept 18-19, 2025 at The University of Chicago.
✨ Keynotes:
Leonardo Bursztyn (UChicago)
Zoe Cullen (Harvard)
Michael Kremer (UChicago)
🗓 Deadline for abstracts: May 9, 2025
The 2025 Advances with Field Experiments (AFE) conference is scheduled for Sept 18-19, 2025 at The University of Chicago.
✨ Keynotes:
Leonardo Bursztyn (UChicago)
Zoe Cullen (Harvard)
Michael Kremer (UChicago)
🗓 Deadline for abstracts: May 9, 2025
January 13, 2025 at 2:44 PM
🚨 Exciting News! 🚨
The 2025 Advances with Field Experiments (AFE) conference is scheduled for Sept 18-19, 2025 at The University of Chicago.
✨ Keynotes:
Leonardo Bursztyn (UChicago)
Zoe Cullen (Harvard)
Michael Kremer (UChicago)
🗓 Deadline for abstracts: May 9, 2025
The 2025 Advances with Field Experiments (AFE) conference is scheduled for Sept 18-19, 2025 at The University of Chicago.
✨ Keynotes:
Leonardo Bursztyn (UChicago)
Zoe Cullen (Harvard)
Michael Kremer (UChicago)
🗓 Deadline for abstracts: May 9, 2025