The Role Of Happiness In Economic Policy | Kelsey J. O’Connor

IBJ Podcast

Kelsey is an economist and a researcher of well-being at STATEC Research in Luxembourg. We discuss the economics of happiness, the importance of happiness research in policy-making, and the influence of social media on well-being. Kelsey describes his journey from the U.S. to Europe and the cultural differences in work ethics between Europe and America. You will learn about Luxembourg’s unique approach to statistical research and the dynamics of European statistical offices. We also explore big data’s role in economics, the impact of consumer price indexes on wages, and adjustments in national accounts.

Referenced

• Measuring Societal Progress – I wrote this as an encyclopedia piece. It should be more broadly accessible. It is probably the most relevant for listeners, covering background and the future of subjective well-being in national decision-making.
• Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert
• World Happiness Report

Additional material

• An Economist’s Lessons of Happiness: Farewell Dismal Science, free e-book, modeled on happiness-economics-pioneer Richard Easterlin’s undergraduate course.
• Can We Be Happier? Evidence and Ethics by Richard Layard and George Ward, and Kelsey’s free book review.

Where to find Kelsey

• Website: https://sites.google.com/site/kelseyjoconnor/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelseyoconnor/

Where to find Ida

• Website: https://idajohnsson.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ida-johnsson/
• X: https://twitter.com/IdaBJohnsson
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcGBjKfzdALl_FQVcA4b8TA

(00:00) Preview
(00:33) Introduction
(01:04) Role and uniqueness of Luxembourg's research division
(01:32) Kelsey's insights into Luxembourg's economic and statistical landscape
(10:08) Kelsey's path to studying the economics of happiness
(14:18) The concept of 'location constraint' in academic and tech careers
(15:58) The impact of remote work on job matching and quality of life
(19:27) The challenges of starting a career remotely
(22:00) The evolution of data utilization in business and research
(23:44) Kelsey's research on life satisfaction and happiness
(26:29) Understanding emotional vs. cognitive states in happiness research
(28:00) The link between life satisfaction and productive work
(29:52) The use of surveys in measuring happiness
(31:51) Exploring universal basic income and its effects on happiness
(34:45) Work culture differences: Europe vs. America
(38:40) The balance between remote work and office presence
(41:48) Kelsey's current research interests and the importance of happiness studies
(44:18) Incorporating happiness research into public and private sectors
(47:46) The distinction between happiness research and psychology
(51:13) Advice for economics PhD students and early career economists
(54:22) The

Reach out to me at www.idajohnsson.com