Emily Weisburst

Emily Weisburst is an Assistant Professor of Public Policy at the Luskin School of Public Affairs, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Her research focuses on labor economics, public finance, criminal justice policy, and education. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin, along with an M.S. and B.A. in Economics from UT Austin and Dartmouth College, respectively. She has held roles as a Staff Economist at the Council of Economic Advisers and a research associate at the RAND Corporation.

Her research interests include understanding factors influencing police decision-making, public trust in law enforcement, and the societal impacts of criminal justice interactions. Notable work examines police officer discretion, the effects of school police funding on student outcomes, and racial disparities in crime control. She received the NAED Spencer Dissertation Fellowship for her research on school policing and educational attainment.

Her recent studies explore topics like fear's impact on police behavior, immigration policy messaging, and venture capital gender gaps. Key themes include equity in law enforcement, policy design, and the socioeconomic consequences of criminal justice systems.

• Awards: NAED Spencer Dissertation Fellowship
• Grants/Projects: Collaborations with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board via RAND Corporation
• Labs/Teams: Engaged in interdisciplinary research at UCLA's Luskin School, focusing on public policy and criminal justice.