Elizabeth Caucutt

Elizabeth Caucutt is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at Western University's Faculty of Social Science. Her research focuses on the intergenerational effects of family and human capital policy, with particular emphasis on understanding fertility timing, education policies, and human capital development across different socioeconomic groups.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Economics, University of Minnesota, 1997

Professor Caucutt's research spans multiple areas including human capital formation, family economics, macroeconomics, and public finance. Her work investigates critical questions about why women are having children later and its implications for children, the role of rural-urban migration in social security origins, education voucher policies and their effects on school sorting, optimal higher education subsidies in the United States, and policies to increase education levels in sub-Saharan Africa. She is currently examining how borrowing constraints at different life stages affect human capital investments in young children and college-going adults, as well as investigating dramatic fertility and marriage rate differences between Black and White individuals.

Analysis of Professor Caucutt's publication record reveals a consistent focus on human capital development across the lifespan, with particular attention to intergenerational mobility and policy interventions. Her work spans theoretical and applied economics, often employing dynamic general equilibrium models to evaluate policy impacts. The research shows progression from early work on peer effects and education vouchers to more recent investigations of racial disparities in marriage and fertility, reflecting evolving research interests while maintaining core methodological approaches.

Scientific Recognition:

• Multiple publications in top economics journals including Journal of Political Economy, Review of Economic Dynamics, and International Economic Review
• Research on critical policy issues related to education, family structure, and human capital development

Professor Caucutt teaches courses in Labor Economics and Inequality, focusing on public finance and macroeconomics. Her research has significant policy implications across multiple domains, from education financing to understanding persistent socioeconomic disparities. The cross-national scope of her work, spanning developed economies like the United States and developing regions like sub-Saharan Africa, demonstrates the breadth of her scholarly contributions.