About me

Andrew Johnston is an assistant professor of economics at the University of California in Merced. Andrew's research lies in the fields of labor economics, public finance, personnel economics, and applied econometrics.

In particular he studies issues in taxation, social insurance, compensation, teacher quality, and the economics of the family, typically using quasi-experimental designs to estimate the consequences of economic factors on the behavior and ability of students, workers, and firms.

Andrew's undergraduate studies were in economics and mathematics at Brigham Young University, and he earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in Applied Economics at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 2016. He now lives in Merced, California with his family who he adores more than anything. His wife, Erika, is a wonderful mother and partner. She was trained as a nurse practitioner and specialized in pediatric oncology. Many believe the fact that she willingly married Andrew is his most surprising accomplishment.

His father works in a metal factory which manufactures metal pieces for padlocks, steering wheels, and seat belts. 

ifficult, real-world experience helps to ground Andrew's academic pursuits. His mother, a sharp and fearless woman, survived stage 3c ovarian cancer; she worked at home nurturing her sometimes-trying children. 

Andrew's brother, Matthew, is an accountant—a course Andrew would have pursued had he a better personality. Matt now works for a software startup delivering services for addiction recovery centers. His sister manages a small business she started while raising her darling family with her husband, a saint if we ever knew one.