Jeffrey Smith

Jeffrey Smith is a Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Michigan, specializing in labor economics and program evaluation methodology. He has been a faculty member since 2005 and serves as an associate editor for the Journal of Labor Economics, having previously been its editor from 2006-2009.

His research focuses on the evaluation of government programs, particularly employment and training initiatives for the disadvantaged. Key areas include labor market effects of college quality, econometric methods for counterfactual analysis, and means-tested transfer programs. Smith emphasizes collaborative work, rarely publishing solo, and prioritizes projects based on personal interest, co-author compatibility, and potential academic impact.

Smith is currently completing two major projects: a chapter reviewing vocational training literature for the Handbook of the Economics of Education (co-authored with Brian McCall and Conny Wunsch), and an update on employment/training programs for the National Bureau of Economic Research's Means-Tested Transfer Programs in the United States (with Burt Barnow).

• Fellow of the Society of Labor Economics (SOLE)
• Editor, Journal of Labor Economics (2006-2009)
• Associate Editor, Journal of Labor Economics (2009-present)

As a core member of Michigan's highly ranked labor economics group, Smith leverages cross-campus collaborations with labor economists throughout the university. His work bridges theoretical econometrics and practical policy analysis, particularly regarding in-kind transfer programs like job training for disadvantaged populations. He maintains an active research agenda with numerous future projects pending.