Research

Work in Progress

“Health Spillovers: The Broad Impact of Spousal Health Shocks” with Carolina Arteaga and Pilar Garcia-Gomez

In this paper we provide new evidence on the direct health spillover effects of health shocks within couples. Using administrative data from the Netherlands and a matching event-study framework, we estimate the causal effect of experiencing a health shock within a couple on the health of the initially unaffected partner. Our findings reveal a significant deterioration in the partner’s health outlook, characterized by substantial increases in hospital visits, overnight stays, and mortality. The health decline is broad in scope, encompassing higher risk of infections, accidents, and digestive and cardiovascular conditions. This deterioration is accompanied by substantial increases in stress and anxiety for both men a women, as well as depression and sleep disorders for women. These effects are not driven by a heavy caregiving load or worsening of health behaviors. On the contrary, the adverse outcomes persist despite suggestive positive changes, including increased exercise for both men and women, and reduced alcohol consumption among women.

“The Opportunity Cost of a PhD: Spending Your Twenties" with Dwayne Benjamin and Boriana Miloucheva

This paper examines the opportunity cost of pursuing a PhD by tracing the earnings trajectories of graduate students from undergraduate study through doctoral training and into the labour market. Using linked Canadian administrative and census data, we compare PhD graduates to those who complete a master’s degree, to professional degree holders, and to individuals who enter but do not complete a PhD. We find that PhD graduates earn significantly less than their peers early in their careers due to delayed labour market entry. Over time, their earnings recover and eventually surpass those of master’s graduates—but primarily among those who obtain academic positions and remain employed later in life. This “double premium” reflects both higher earnings conditional on full-time academic employment and longer labour force attachment. By contrast, the most substantial penalties accrue to non-completers who withdraw late from PhD programs. Finally, we document worsening outcomes for recent PhD graduates, driven largely by declining rates of academic employment. These findings highlight the central role of career timing, labour force attachment, and access to academic positions in shaping the economic returns to doctoral education.

“More Than Just Neighbours: Immigrant Networks and Jobs in High-Paying Firms" with Benoit Dostie and Raji Jayaraman

“In Sickness and in Health: The Effect of Health on Household Structure" with Carolina Arteaga and Pilar Garcia-Gomez