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Her­d­is Stein­grims­dot­tir

Associate Professor

Subjects
Microeconomics Economics Quantitative methods Job market Demography

Primary research areas

Public Policy, Families, and Economic Outcomes

My research examines how public policies shape family decisions and long-term economic outcomes. I focus on areas such as parental leave, and social insurance, using administrative data to assess causal impacts. By studying how families respond to policy design, I uncover mechanisms that influence intergenerational mobility, educational attainment, and labor market participation. The goal is to generate insights that inform more effective and equitable policy frameworks.

Early-Life Shocks, Institutions, and Labor Market Trajectories

I investigate how early-life events, such as childhood illness or disability, impacts families, and interact with institutional settings. My work leverages natural experiments and population registers to track individuals over time. My research in particular focuses on the role of institutions in either amplifying or mitigating long-term disparities due to early-life shocks.

Gender Norms, Social Insurance, and Policy Design

A key strand of my research focuses on how gender norms and social insurance policies shape differences in economic opportunities between men and women. I study the effects of parental leave, childcare policies, and reproductive rights on labor supply, career progression, and family formation.

Analyzing the dynamics of work, family, and public policy

My research explores how work and family life shape each other, and how public policies influence these dynamics. I study questions such as: How do parental leave and fertility policies affect careers and family formation? What are the long-term impacts of childhood illness or disability on education and work? And how do gender norms and welfare state institutions reinforce or reduce inequality? 

 My research addresses questions related to gender gaps, immigrant integration, social insurance, and intergenerational mobility. I focus on understanding how different policies influence family outcomes and labor market participation, and how this knowledge can contribute to ongoing policy debates.  

Alongside my academic work, I have also served as a member of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Iceland. This role reflects my broader interest in how macroeconomic policy interacts with household behavior, and it strengthens the link between my research, evidence-based policymaking, and real-world economic challenges. 

Recent research projects