Christine Mulhern

Christine Mulhern is an economist and Professor of Policy Analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy, part of the RAND Corporation. Her research focuses on the economics of education and labor economics, particularly examining how students and workers navigate education and career pathways. She investigates topics such as high school counselors' influence on educational attainment, dual enrollment programs, educational technologies, and inequality in education. Her work has been published in prestigious journals like the Quarterly Journal of Economics and American Economic Review, and it has been supported by NIH, IES, and various foundations. Mulhern holds a Ph.D. from Harvard University.

Her research explores how social networks, school resources, and technology shape educational and career decisions. Notable studies include analyses of the spillover effects of specialized high schools, the impact of school counselors, and strategies to strengthen workforce pipelines in Ohio. She has also examined the implementation of financial literacy mandates and the challenges schools faced during the pandemic, such as reduced college and career readiness supports.

Mulhern's work often addresses policy-relevant questions, including expanding access to postsecondary education, improving educational equity, and aligning workforce development with economic needs. Her findings have been featured in media outlets like the Wall Street Journal, and she regularly engages with policymakers to translate research into actionable strategies.

In advising and grants, Mulhern collaborates with institutions and organizations to design effective interventions. Her research on platforms like Naviance highlights how technology can democratize college admissions information. She also explores strategies to diversify manufacturing workforces and bolster talent pipelines through design thinking approaches. Mulhern’s contributions bridge academic rigor with real-world policy solutions.