Rate Professor Deborah Cobb-Clark

Professional Summary: Professor Deborah Cobb-Clark

Professor Deborah Cobb-Clark is a distinguished economist and academic at the University of Sydney, Australia, with an extensive career focused on labor economics, social policy, and behavioral economics. Renowned for her rigorous empirical research, she has made significant contributions to understanding the dynamics of disadvantage, gender disparities, and economic decision-making.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Cobb-Clark holds the following academic qualifications:

• PhD in Economics, University of Michigan, USA
• Master of Arts in Economics, University of Michigan, USA
• Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Michigan State University, USA

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Her research primarily focuses on:

• Labor economics, including wage inequality and employment outcomes
• Social policy, particularly issues of disadvantage and economic mobility
• Behavioral economics, exploring decision-making and personality traits
• Gender disparities in economic and social outcomes

Career History and Appointments

Professor Cobb-Clark has held numerous prestigious positions throughout her career:

• Professor of Economics, School of Economics, University of Sydney (current)
• Director, Social Policy Research Centre, University of New South Wales (previous)
• Professorial Research Fellow, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, University of Melbourne (previous)
• Research Fellow, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn, Germany (ongoing)

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Her contributions to economics and social policy have been recognized through various accolades:

• Fellow of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia
• Research Fellow at the Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA)

Key Publications

Professor Cobb-Clark has authored numerous influential papers and articles. A selection of her notable works includes:

• 'Locus of Control and Savings' (with S. Kassenboehmer and S. Schurer), Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 2014
• 'Two Economists’ Musings on the Stability of Locus of Control' (with S. Schurer), The Economic Journal, 2013
• 'Healthy Habits: The Connection between Diet, Exercise, and Locus of Control' (with S. Kassenboehmer and S. Schurer), Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 2014
• 'Occupational Segregation and the Gender Wage Gap in Private- and Public-Sector Employment: A Distributional Analysis' (with Y. Barón), Economic Record, 2010

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Cobb-Clark’s research has had a profound impact on the fields of labor economics and social policy. Her work on the role of non-cognitive skills, such as locus of control, in economic outcomes has influenced both academic discourse and policy design. Her studies on gender wage gaps and occupational segregation have provided critical insights into systemic inequalities, shaping discussions on workplace equity. As a prolific researcher, her publications are widely cited, and she is recognized as a leading voice in empirical economic analysis.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

Professor Cobb-Clark is actively engaged in the academic community through various roles:

• Regular presenter at international conferences and public lectures on economics and social policy
• Member of editorial boards for leading journals in economics
• Contributor to policy discussions through her research affiliations and public engagements