Professor David Card is a leading labor economist whose research involves innovative application of data and methods to solve problems in the labor market.  In particular, his recent research focus includes labor market impacts of immigration, school financing and the distribution of education resources, how ending forced retirement of university professors affects retirement behavior and welfare.  In numerous of his research studies, Prof. Card used major changes in the labor market as a useful place for his research to evaluate economic theories and build models.  Originally a Physics major from Canada, Prof. Card often utilizes research methods that are more close to the natural sciences.

Currently, Prof. Card’s most recent research topic is on the measurement of Medicaid coverage in the SIPP.  He focuses on a unique set of data formed by matching the administrative records from California and responses from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP).  A high rate of under-reporting in SIPP can be problematic to our society because this is an indication of the absence of measured health insurance coverage among certain populations who might be eligible for Medicaid.
Due to the nature of his research, Prof. Card usually collects his data from the government archives of data such as the Census or Bureau of Labor Statistics.  In addition, he also established the Center for Labor Economics (CLE) to help fund for graduate student and faculty research.

Professor Card is very busy this semester because he is currently writing, reviewing, evaluating and presenting many working papers.  Within a few weeks, he will be traveling to several countries in Europe to present his current research topics.  However, he welcomes students to drop by his office hours to talk to him about their research interests or other areas that he might be able to help.  Prof. Card enjoys acting as an advisor to graduate students and resource to undergraduate students.