Kirby Nielsen
Kirby Nielsen
Professor of Economics; William H. Hurt Scholar
B.A., Rice University, 2013; M.A., Ohio State University, 2014; Ph.D, 2018. Assistant Professor, Caltech, 2020-24; Professor, 2024-; Hurt Scholar, 2021-.
Profile
Kirby Nielsen is an economist with interests in experimental economics, behavioral economics, and decision theory. In her research, she uses experiments to test and inform economic theory, with a focus on individual decision making and decisions under uncertainty. The results of her research can better inform how people make decisions in a range of areas, including financial investments and healthcare, as well as managerial decisions in the workplace. Nielsen earned her PhD in economics from Ohio State University in 2018, and then served as a postdoctoral fellow in economics at Stanford University from 2018 to 2020.
Research Summary
Experimental Economics; Behavioral Economics; Decision Theory; Risk and Uncertainty
Featured News
Confidence (Or Its Absence) Is Contagious
March 06, 2024
Self-confidence is believed to be a great asset in the workplace, and on this measure, men have the upper hand over women. Can bringing attention to this gender gap in confidence lead to greater fairness?
Mistakes and Rethinking Behavioral Economics
July 12, 2022
New research by Kirby Nielsen explores why people err when making decisions and what it means for some basic tenets of behavioral economics.
Caltech Faculty Receive Named Professorships, Leadership Chairs
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January 19, 2022
This year Caltech recognized two faculty members with the Institute's most distinguished award for individual faculty, a named professorship; and three faculty members with leadership chairs.