Ke (Kerr) Lyu
Self Introduction
I am currently in my fifth year as a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Economics at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), with plans to enter the job market in the 2025-2026 academic year. Prior to joining UNR, I earned an MSc in Economics from the University of Edinburgh in the UK. Two key questions drive my research:
❓What drives self-employment? Is it primarily dominated and driven by opportunity or by necessity in both high- and middle-income countries?
❓To what extent can policies designed to promote self-employment effectively enhance social welfare?
These questions shape my primary research interests in entrepreneurship, labor economics, and health economics, with a particular focus on solo self-employment, also known as nonemployer businesses.
I have taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate-level courses as an instructor and am passionate about fostering an active, dynamic, and inclusive learning environment where students can connect theory with real-world challenges.
News Feed
Our paper, entitled "How Do Minimum Wages Affect Nonemployer Business Establishments in the United States?", has been accepted for presentation at the 45th BCERC, hosted by Babson College.
Our paper, entitled "Unlocking Opportunity: Evaluating China’s Targeted Poverty Alleviation Program and Its Impact on Entrepreneurship", has been accepted for presentation at the 100th WEAI Conference.
Our paper, entitled "The Effect of Policy on Entrepreneurship: Evidence from the Universe of U.S. Startups", has been accepted for presentation at the 6th World Labor Conference, hosted by Society of Labor Economists (SOLE).
Excited to join the 2025 NBER Innovation Research Boot Camp, which brings together researchers to explore frontier methods in innovation research.