Rate Professor Stefanie Schurer

Professional Summary: Professor Stefanie Schurer

Professor Stefanie Schurer is a distinguished economist and academic at the University of Sydney, Australia, with a focus on health economics, human capital development, and behavioral economics. Her interdisciplinary research bridges economics, psychology, and public policy, contributing significantly to the understanding of socioeconomic determinants of health and well-being.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Schurer holds advanced degrees in economics from prestigious institutions:

• Ph.D. in Economics, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany (2008)
• Master of Arts in Economics, University of Bonn, Germany

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Her research primarily focuses on:

• Health economics, particularly the socioeconomic determinants of health outcomes
• Human capital development, including the role of non-cognitive skills
• Behavioral economics and decision-making under uncertainty
• Policy evaluation and the impact of social interventions on disadvantaged populations

Career History and Appointments

Professor Schurer has held numerous academic and research positions across globally recognized institutions:

• Professor of Economics, School of Economics, University of Sydney, Australia (2018–present)
• Associate Professor, School of Economics, University of Sydney (2015–2018)
• Senior Lecturer, School of Economics, University of Sydney (2013–2015)
• Research Fellow, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, University of Melbourne, Australia (2010–2013)
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn, Germany (2008–2010)

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Professor Schurer has been recognized for her contributions to economics and policy research with several prestigious awards:

• ARC Future Fellowship, Australian Research Council (2019–2023), for research on the long-term consequences of childhood disadvantage
• Young Economist of the Year, Economic Society of Australia (2016)
• Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA), Australian Research Council (2013–2015)

Key Publications

Her scholarly output includes numerous peer-reviewed articles in leading journals. Some notable publications include:

• Schurer, S. (2017). 'Bouncing back from health shocks: Locus of control and labor supply.' Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 133, 1-20.
• Schurer, S., Kuehnle, D., Scott, A., & Cheng, T. C. (2016). 'A man’s blessing or a woman’s curse? The family-earnings gap of doctors.' Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, 55(3), 385-414.
• Schurer, S. (2015). 'Lifecycle patterns in the socioeconomic gradient of risk preferences.' Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 119, 482-495.
• Cobb-Clark, D. A., & Schurer, S. (2013). 'Two economists’ musings on the stability of locus of control.' The Economic Journal, 123(570), F358-F400.

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Schurer’s work has had a profound impact on the fields of health economics and human capital research. Her studies on the role of non-cognitive skills and personality traits in shaping economic and health outcomes have informed public policy, particularly in areas related to early childhood interventions and social disadvantage. Her research is widely cited and has contributed to shaping evidence-based policy recommendations in Australia and internationally.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

Professor Schurer is actively engaged in the academic community through various roles:

• Regular presenter at international conferences on health economics and public policy
• Member of the Australian Research Council’s College of Experts
• Associate Editor for the Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization
• Contributor to policy discussions through public lectures and seminars hosted by the University of Sydney and other institutions