Southeastern Micro Labor Workshop
The Southeastern Micro Labor Workshop brings together PhD micro labor economists from southeastern institutions to foster an active exchange and discussion.
Conference Details
Date: April 16-17, 2026
Location: University of Tennessee–Knoxville
University of Tennessee–Knoxville
Frieson Black Cultural Center
1800 Melrose Avenue
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996
The Southeastern Micro Labor Workshop brings together PhD micro labor economists from southeastern institutions to foster an active exchange and discussion.
Please do not hesitate to contact Melanie Guldi, Julie Hotchkiss, or Melinda Pitts with any questions.
Steering Committee: Kathryn Anderson, Peter Brummund, Julie Hotchkiss, Melinda Morrill, Tom Mroz, Orgul Ozturk, Melinda Pitts, and Madeline Zavodny
Agenda
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| Thursday, April 16 | |
| 1:00 p.m. |
The Labor Market Impact of K-11 vs. K-12 Presenter: Scott Abrahams, Louisiana State University Discussant: Andrew Dustan, William and Mary |
| 1:45 |
Marginal Admission to Elite High Schools: Long Run Effects on Labor Market Outcomes Presenter: Maria Padilla-Romo, University of Tennessee Discussant: Jonathan Smith, Georgia State University |
| 2:30 | Break |
| 2:45 |
Networks, Earnings and Occupational Stratification among Immigrants: Evidence from the Netherlands Presenter: Crystal Zhan, University of South Carolina Discussant: Kelly Vosters, University of North Carolina–Charlotte |
| 3:30 |
Search Costs, Belief Formation, and Firm Hiring: Evidence from a Hiring Intervention in Ethopia Presenter: David Wu, Georgia State University Discussant: Ketki Sheth, University of Tennessee |
| 4:15 | Break |
| 4:30 |
The Effects of Minimum Wages on "Mom & Pop" Businesses Presenter: Josh Pinkston, Louisville University Discussant: Don Bruce, University of Tennessee |
| Friday, April 17 | |
| 8:30 a.m |
Licensure as a Credential: Evidence on Unemployment Protection and Inequality from the Great Recession and COVID-19 Presenter: Bobby Chung, University of South Florida Discussant: Orgul Ozturk, University of South Carolina |
| 9:15 |
The Price of Portability: How Interstate Licensing Transforms Mental Health Markets Presenter: Cici McNamara, Georgia Tech University Discussant: Cecilia Diaz-Campo, Washington University in St. Louis |
| 10:00 | Break |
| 10:15 |
Labor Supply and Savings Responses to Increasing the Pension Eligibility Age in South Korea Presenter: Devon Gorry, Clemson University Discussant: Jose Fernandez, Louisville University |
| 11:00 |
Trade Liberalization and Human Capital Formation: Child Learning and Child Labor in Peru Presenter: Leah Lakdawala, Wake Forest University Discussant: Cecilia Peluffo, University of Florida |
| 11:45 | Lunch and adjournment |
Steering Committee
| Julie Hotchkiss, co-chair | Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta |
| Melinda Pitts, co-chair | Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta |
| Kathryn Anderson | Vanderbilt University |
| Peter Brummund | University of Alabama |
| Melinda Morrill | North Carolina State University |
| Tom Mroz | Georgia State University |
| Orgul Ozturk | University South Carolina |
| Madeline Zavodny | University of North Florida |