Elisa Macchi

Elisa Macchi

Assistant professor

Department of Economics, Brown University

Welcome!

I am an Assistant Professor of Economics at Brown University. Previously, I was a postdoctoral associate at MIT Economics department and I graduated from the University of Zurich in 2021. More information is available in my CV.

My research focuses on the intersection of development economics and behavioral economics. In particular, I am interested in how the social environment influences the economic behaviors of individuals and organizations in poor countries. My work investigates various topics, including the impact of status signals on responses to situations with asymmetric information, the use of work arrangements as a means of redistribution, and the influence of image concerns on health-related behaviors. Most of my research is conducted in Uganda.

News: My paper on the benefits of obesity in poor countries was featured in the New York Times!

Publications

Ongoing Research

Office Hours

Please read instructions before signing up for office hours.

For 16.20 students: Monday, 1PM-3PM Robinson Hall 303D (no appointment needed).

For 25.10 students or Brown students who want to discuss a question or are interested in working together on a regular basis: sign up for office hours here. Please, email me a short write-up of what you want to discuss by the night before the meeting.