Graduate Workshop: Using US Census Bureau data for research

It can be difficult for graduate students in economics to learn about government data that can be useful for research and about current policy issues that can be informed by economic research using those data. The Center on Regulation and Markets hosted an event for graduate students to showcase the Census Bureau’s research program in industrial organization and productivity and to introduce students to some of the datasets that the Census Bureau collects and supervises. This workshop is specifically aimed at students who are interested in entrepreneurship, innovation, industrial organization, and productivity. The program featured researchers from the U.S. Census Bureau discussing their research, datasets that require special access, and public use datasets. An overview of procedures for accessing Census Data was provided. Each presentation session was followed by a moderated question and answer opportunity.

• Welcome Remarks:
  • Stephanie Aaronson, Vice President and Director of the Economic Studies Program, Brookings
  • Judith Chevalier, Professor of Economics, Yale University and member of the academic advisory board for the Brookings Center for Regulation and Markets
  • Lucia Foster, Chief Economist and Chief of the Center for Economic Studies, US Census Bureau
• “Applying for and Accessing Restricted Use Census Bureau Data”
  • Heather Madray, Senior Project Review Coordinator, Center for Enterprise Dissemination, US Census
  • Q&A Moderator: Barbara Downs, Director of the Federal Statistical Research Data Centers, Center for Enterprise Dissemination, US Census Bureau
• “Measuring Business Dynamics and Innovative Firms”
  • Nathan Goldschlag, Senior Economist, Center for Economic Studies, US Census Bureau
  • Q&A Moderator: Martha Stinson, Senior Economist, Center for Economic Studies, US Census Bureau
• “Measuring Productivity Dispersion and Productivity Growth in U.S. Manufacturing”
  • T. Kirk White, Senior Economist, Center for Economic Studies, US Census Bureau
  • Q&A Moderator: Randy Becker, Principal Economist, Center for Economic Studies, US Census Bureau
• “Measuring the Impact of Innovations in Retail”
  • Emek Basker, Principal Economist, Center for Economic Studies, US Census Bureau
  • Q&A Moderator: Judith Chevalier, Professor of Economics, Yale University