AEASP 2021 Scholar Michelle Blair

Michelle Blair is a rising first year doctoral student of economics. In her most recent professional post, she served as Assistant Director for Assessment Development at the National Assessment Governing Board – policy oversight for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). She holds a Master’s degree in Mathematical Statistics from the University of Maryland; a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard University; and a Bachelor’s degree in English literature from Cornell University. Inspired by the economic literatures on identity, social interactions, and the economics of education, her current research interests include using U.S. datasets and datasets in other countries to explore how status markers, such as race/ethnicity and gender, influence markets, human capital, economic growth, and innovation, including how such characteristics impact preferences, beliefs, and choices. A former New Yorker, Michelle now lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, travels the world whenever possible, and enjoys music, hiking, and billiards.