W. Walker Hanlon

W. Walker Hanlon is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at Northwestern University, affiliated with the Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences. He holds leadership roles as Associate Director of the Northwestern Center for Economic History and Faculty Research Fellow at the NBER. His research focuses on economic history, urban economics, and the long-run evolution of economies, particularly through novel historical data analysis.

Education:

• PhD in Economics (with distinction), Columbia University, 2012
• MPhil in Economics, Columbia University, 2009
• MA in Economics, Columbia University, 2008
• BA in Economics, Stanford University, 2004

Research Interests:

Dr. Hanlon’s work examines historical phenomena such as pollution’s health impacts, urbanization costs, technological spillovers, and the role of engineers in the Industrial Revolution. His book The Laissez-Faire Experiment: Why Britain Embraced and Then Abandoned Small Government, 1800-1914 (Princeton University Press, 2024) explores the transition from limited government to welfare state policies in Britain.

Awards & Grants:

• NSF CAREER Grant ($416,435, 2016–2022)
• UCLA Hellman Fellowship (2014–2015)
• Journal of Economic History Refereeing Award (2018)

Teaching & Service:

He teaches courses in economic history and urban economics. Professional service includes roles on the Urban Economics Association board and as a referee for top journals. He actively mentors first-generation students through NYU and UCLA initiatives.

Labs & Collaborations:

Associated with the Northwestern Center for Economic History and collaborative projects like the British Patent Classification Database and British City-Industry Database.