Mark Roberts

Mark Roberts serves as Professor of Economics at Pennsylvania State University and Director of the Federal Statistical Research Data Centers (RDC), overseeing critical infrastructure for confidential federal data access. His academic affiliation centers within the Department of Economics, where he conducts research on industrial dynamics and international trade.

Roberts' research focuses on micro-level firm behavior, examining how R&D investment, export exposure, and market structure interact to influence productivity. Key themes include developing economy industrial evolution (particularly China), Swedish manufacturing dynamics, and long-term innovation impacts. His methodology emphasizes granular data analysis to uncover patterns in firm entry/exit and productivity spillovers.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2013-2025) reveals dominant economic research trajectories, with 14 articles concentrated in industrial organization and international trade. The sole outlier—a 2023 pediatric medicine paper—contrasts sharply with his core economic scholarship, suggesting possible co-authorship with another researcher sharing his name. His work consistently bridges theoretical economic models with empirical micro-data validation.

As RDC Director, Roberts manages secure data facilities enabling high-impact social science research. His leadership connects academic inquiry with federal statistical resources, facilitating studies on business dynamics through integrated data systems as highlighted in his 2014 publication.