Research

Impacts of the Relocation Program on Native American Migration and Fertility (forthcoming in The Journal of Economic History)

This paper estimates the migratory and fertility effects of the federal Relocation Program, which attempted to move Native American individuals to urban areas under the promise of financial assistance and job training. I find the Relocation Program increased the Native American population in the target cities by more than 100,000 people. I also find that second- and third-generation Native American women living in cities have a 50% lower fertility rate than those living in areas with historically large Native American populations. These findings indicate that this program meaningfully shifted the spatial distribution of the Native American population.

In this paper, we analyze the effects of joint patenting on patent quality. We find that joint patent ownership positively impacts the quality of an innovation (as measured by forward patent citations). In addition, the degree of quality increases with the number of patent owners. Since past research confirms the important links between patent quality and ongoing innovation, and between innovation and growth, those factors that impact patent quality are deserving of attention.

“More is Better: Evidence that Joint Patenting Leads to Quality Innovation” Kristie Briggs and Mary Wade. 2014. Applied Economics, 46(35)

In this paper, I examine how the receipt of an unconditional cash transfer during pregnancy impacts maternal and infant health outcomes. Using linked birth certificate data, I apply a within-mother estimator to analyze how receipt of the Alaska permanent fund dividend (PFD), an annual cash transfer for all Alaska residents, affects the likelihood of being born preterm or low birth weight and the likelihood of experiencing any complications at the time of labor and delivery. I find that receiving an additional $1,000 in PFD payment during the 12 months prior to birth decreases the likelihood of having a labor/delivery complication by approximately 12% and reduces the likelihood of being born very preterm by approximately 22%. The results are strongest for mothers with less than a high school education.

Other Projects