Ben Handel

Associate Professor of Economics at University of California

Benjamin R. Handel is an Associate Professor of Economics at the University of California, Berkeley, where he has been a faculty member since 2010. He also serves as the Director of the Gilbert Center for Applied Economics and is a Co-Director of the Insurance Working Group at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) .1 3 4

Education and Academic Background

Ph.D. in Economics from Northwestern University (2010)
A.B. in Economics from Princeton University (2004)

Research Focus

Professor Handel specializes in health economics, industrial organization, and behavioral economics. His research primarily examines:

Consumer choice and decision-making in health insurance markets
The impact of information frictions on consumer welfare
Provider productivity and competition among insurance providers
Behavioral economics related to health care decisions .1 3 4 6

Notable Achievements and Awards

Received the ASHEcon Medal in 2018, awarded to the top health economist under 40.
Awarded the Frisch Medal by the Econometric Society for his research on equilibria in health exchanges.
Recipient of the NSF CAREER Award and an Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship .1 3 4 5

Publications and Editorial Roles

Professor Handel has published extensively in leading academic journals, including:

American Economic Review
Econometrica
Quarterly Journal of Economics .2 3

He is also an editor for the Review of Economics and Statistics and serves as an associate editor for other prominent economic journals .1 3

Teaching Contributions

At UC Berkeley, he has taught various courses related to health economics and industrial organization, receiving recognition for his distinguished teaching and service .1 3

Professional Affiliations

In addition to his academic roles, Handel has collaborated with numerous businesses and policy organizations, providing insights into health care market dynamics through data analysis and expert testimony .3 4

Overall, Benjamin R. Handel is a prominent figure in the field of economics, particularly known for his contributions to understanding health insurance markets and consumer behavior within healthcare systems.