“Research in microeconometrics demonstrated that it was necessary to be careful in accounting for the sources of manifest differences among apparently similar individuals. Different assumptions about the sources of unobserved heterogeneity have a profound effect on the estimation and economic interpretation of empirical evidence, in evaluating programs in place, and in using the data to forecast new policies and assess the effect of the transporting existing policies to new environments.
Heterogeneity due to unmeasured variables became an important topic in this literature because its manifestations were so evident in the data and the consequences of ignoring it turned out to be so profound. The problem became even more apparent as panel micro data become available, and it was possible to observe persistent differences for the same person over time.” –James Heckman, Nobel Prize Lecture (Heckman 2001, 686) |
My current research focuses on the impact of external changes on and heterogeneity of demand for environmental and resource goods. The data for these inquiries range from large, publicly available data sets to primary data collected from surveys. I plan to continue to research in the area of environmental and natural resource economics but am unsure how the exact nature of questions will evolve. I have focused on issues of concern in the southwest and I expect that my research agenda will be partially driven by local issues and policy changes over time. The research that I have undertaken so far provides me not only with the suite of research tools to be able to do this, but my experiences have provided me with the ability to apply these tools at a local level.
Research interest: applied microeconomics, environmental and natural resource economics, energy economics, consumer theory, economic valuation, applied econometrics
Published Papers
- Walter, Kara A., Jennifer Thatcher, and Janie M. Chermak. "Examining Willingness to Pay for Energy Futures in a Fossil and Renewable Energy-rich Locale." Energy Policy 181, no. October 2023 (2023). Accessed July 25, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2023.113661.
↪ Access article on Science Direct
Other & Media Shoutouts
- A survey I worked on with Jennifer Thacher and Janie M Chermak that was featured on Science360.gov on June 1, 2018. This research is part of my dissertation and working papers listed above about preferences for energy in New Mexico. The headline links to a NM EPSCoR's summary written by Natalie Rogers. Link to Science360.gov.
- As part of my RA for EPSCoR, I helped to create a video to explain the research focus on the interdisciplinary Social and Natural Science Nexus. In addition to being in the video, I came up with the concept, wrote the script, filmed UNM participants, and assisted with post-production as needed. Link to Youtube
Updated: July 2023