Jonathan Ernest

I served as a Graduate Teacher of Record and PhD candidate in Economics at Clemson University with interests in the fields of public economics and industrial organization, and a focus on applied microeconomics and the economics of regulation. My research examines whether regulations are effective in decreasing the number uninsured drivers, as well as any effects on the level of precaution used while driving.

My experiences conducting research both in academia and the private sector have enhanced my ability to use SAS, Excel, and Stata to analyze large and complex data sets to produce interesting and actionable results. In 2009, I obtained dual Bachelors of Science degrees in political science and economics from Clemson University. Upon graduation, I spent four years as a competitive intelligence analyst in the automobile insurance industry. I then returned to Clemson for graduate school, where I obtained my MA in economics in 2015, and a PhD in economics in Aug 2019.

During my time in graduate school, I have had the opportunity to teach over 500 students in principles of economics, microeconomics, and macroeconomics courses. Additionally, I have served in the role of teaching assistant for undergraduate microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics courses, where I led a lab teaching students how use STATA to apply econometric techniques to data. I have thoroughly enjoyed developing and teaching these courses, and seeing my students learn to use economic concepts from the course in their everyday lives. As a result of my efforts as an instructor, I had the honor of being nominated and awarded the Clemson University College of Business Graduate Teaching Assistant Excellence Award for the 2017-2018 school year, and the Outstanding Graduate Teacher of Record Award for 2018-2019 .

I utilize my background in American politics, private enterprise, and economics to guide my research into the incentives created by government policies. My dissertation research was awarded 1st place for the College of Business in the 2018 Clemson University Graduate Research and Discovery Symposium (GRADS) poster competition. In addition to my own research, I have had the pleasure of providing research assistance and support to Dr. Thomas Hazlett and the Information Economy Project.

Outside of the classroom, I have had the pleasure of serving in the Graduate Student Government as the Vice-President of the Graduate Student Body, as well as the Graduate Student Senate President Pro-tempore.

In my free time, I write short articles for a general audience analyzing everyday news articles with an economic perspective at stealtheconomics.com.