Communication and Incentives Conference

As his inaugural academic event since his appointment at UCSB, Professor Finn Kydland sponsored a Lab Coat Conference at UCSB in May of 2005. The Lab Coat members are a group of macroeconomists who share interests in varied topical research issues. A number of years ago they formed a group which periodically meets to discuss interesting research in which the members are currently engaged. Many of the members have collaborated and continue to collaborate on research over their professional careers. The members represent a number of universities and institutions across the country. In addition to the Lab Coat members, UCSB Economics Department professors and graduate students attended the conference which was held on the UCSB campus. Chancellor Henry Yang hosted a dinner at his residence for the participants at the close of the conference.

Links to the papers presented at the conference are noted below.

Participants

Javier Birchenall, UC Santa Barbara Peter Kuhn, UC Santa Barbara
Henning Bohn, UC Santa Barbara Steve LeRoy, UC Santa Barbara
Thomas Cooley, New York University Ellen McGrattan, Minneapolis Federal Reserve
Robert Deacon, UC Santa Barbara Lee Ohanian, UC Los Angeles
Rod Garrett, UC Santa Barbara Christopher Proulx, UC Santa Barbara
Gary Hansen, UC Los Angeles Rios-Rull, Victor, University of Pennsylvania
Ayse Imrohoroglu, University of Southern California Rogerson, Richard, Arizona State University
Marek Kapicka, UC Santa Barbara Tom Sargent, New York University
Patrick Kehoe, Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank Randy Wright, University of Pennsylvania
Timothy Kehoe, University of Minnesota


Program Schedule

A Critique of Structural VARs Using Real Business Cycle Theory
V.V. Chari, Patrick J. Kehoe and Ellen McGrattan

Japanese Savings Rate
Kaiji Chen, Ayse Imrohoroglu and Selahattin Imrohoroglu

On the Living Arrangements of Elderly Widows
Carlos Bethencourt and Jose-Victor Rios-Rull

Why Have Business Cycle Fluctuations Become Less Volatile?
Andres Arias, Gary D. Hansen and Lee E. Ohanian

How Important is the New Goods Margin in International Trade?
Timothy J. Kehoe and Kim J. Ruhl