Peter Mueser

Peter Mueser is the Chancellor's Professor of Economics at the University of Missouri's College of Arts and Science. His research focuses on applied microeconomics, labor economics, and public policy, with a particular emphasis on unemployment programs, education policy, and social welfare systems. He has conducted extensive studies on the effectiveness of reemployment policies during economic downturns, the labor-market returns of non-traditional education pathways, and the impact of food assistance programs on low-income populations.

His work often utilizes regression discontinuity analysis and administrative data to evaluate program performance. Notable contributions include analyses of the GED's postsecondary educational returns, the effects of job counseling during the Great Recession, and comparisons between for-profit schools and community colleges. Mueser's research frequently intersects with policy implications, aiming to inform evidence-based decision-making in workforce development and social welfare.

Key areas of focus in his publications include unemployment insurance systems, agricultural cooperatives in developing regions like Nepal, and the dynamics of labor-market transitions. His findings have been published in journals such as Economic Inquiry and the Journal of Labor Economics, and he maintains a robust Google Scholar profile reflecting his prolific output. Mueser's expertise spans interdisciplinary topics, including migration research, welfare reform, and the role of temporary employment in low-wage worker advancement.