Scott Cunningham

Scott Cunningham is the Ben H. Williams Professor of Economics at Baylor University and a Visiting Professor in the Government department at Harvard University for the 2025–2026 academic year. His affiliations include the Texas Hunger Initiative (Research Fellow since 2017) and Harvard’s Government department.

• PhD in Economics, University of Georgia (2007)
• BA in Literature, University of Tennessee (1999)

Research interests span causal inference, mental health in corrections, sex work economics, abortion policy, drug policy, violence, and AI applications in social sciences. His work bridges empirical methods with policy analysis, focusing on public health, criminal justice, and social policy outcomes.

Recent publications include methodological guides (difference-in-differences, synthetic control) and policy analyses (methamphetamine control, ChatGPT forecasting, mental health assessments in jails). His 2021 book Causal Inference: The Mixtape provides accessible training in quantitative methods.

He teaches:

• ECO 4349/5349 – Causal Inference
• ECO 1305 – Issues in Economics
• ECO 4343/5343 – History of Economic Thought

At Harvard, he leads Gov50, a data-driven course satisfying Harvard’s Quantitative Reasoning with Data requirement. His pedagogical approach emphasizes practical coding (R), project milestones, and the PERMA model of well-being.