Robert Haveman, born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, in 1936. Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University, Nashville. John Bascom Professor of Economics and Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Fellow (1 September 1996 – 30 June 1997)
During my NIAS year, I made substantial progress on three research projects, and in addition completed several other papers. The three projects involve:
The use of twenty years of longitudinal data in studying the determinants of the decisions of young adults, emphasising the individual, family, community and opportunity determinants of these choices in a structural model framework (joint with Barbara Wolfe). I completed four papers on this topic, and they are under review at journals.
Estimation of the changes in well-being of disabled and elderly people over the last decade, in comparison to changes for nondisabled and younger people, and the role of social insurance benefits in sustaining their well-being (joint with Barbara Wolfe). I completed two papers on this project, and they are being readied for submission to journals.
Estimation of the level and utilisation of human capital by working-age males and females in the U.S. from 1985 to 1993. I prepared three papers on this topic, two of which are under review and one of which has been accepted for publication. Continuation of this research is being pursued with a view to publishing a research monograph. In addition, I completed several other papers, including a paper on social policy and employment for an OECD ministerial level conference, a paper on alternatives to the current welfare state published in The Boston Review of Books, and a paper (joint with Barbara Wolfe) which presents a comprehensive review and assessment of research on the economics of disability and disability policy for a handbook of health economics.
I did not have specific targets for these projects, in part because they are long-term research efforts. In each case, I have made significant progress. In addition, I made progress on several other projects and topics that have detailed in my full report.
I have followed this plan very closely, and have made progress on each of these topics. In each case, papers have been prepared, and in the case of the third topic work has been started to place the research into the form of a research monograph.