The School is pleased to celebrate the promotion of an outstanding faculty member, Eliza Forsythe, to Associate Professor. Our success is the direct result of the scholarship and leadership of our faculty, and we’re proud to highlight their accomplishments.
Professor Forsythe received her PhD in economics from MIT and her bachelor’s degree in math and economics from Mills College. Her research focuses on labor demand, including hiring, recessions, and technological change. She teaches Economics of Human Resources in the on-campus and online MHRIR programs, as well as labor economics in the Economics Department, where she holds a joint appointment.
Why LER?
“What’s great about LER is that the faculty all study employment topics, but the diversity of disciplinary perspectives means I am always learning new ways to think about employment. I also very much enjoy the practical grounding of teaching in the MHRIR program, where I emphasize economic concepts that will be useful to our students in their professional careers. Teaching in the online program has been great to this end, as many students are currently working in the HR field and are able to share with me how they connect the class material to their job. Overall, it’s a wonderful environment, and I’m lucky to be a part of LER!”
My Research
“I am interested in questions about how employers make staffing decisions. Some of my research focuses on hiring practices during recessions. I show how employers are able to be more choosy when unemployment is high. This results in young workers being left behind when all employers ask applicants for more work experience. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I was able to provide real-time analysis of the labor market and the unemployment insurance system. In more recent research, I am examining how the adoption of new technology changes jobs and workplaces.”
What the Dean Says
“Eliza Forsythe is recognized as a leading scholar in analyzing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on labor markets. Her meticulous work offered invaluable insights to academia, policymakers, and the general public. She also examines the effects of conventional recessions on labor markets, as well as broader research on occupational structure and compensation, further solidifying her expertise in the field. Alongside her active research program, she is an engaging teacher, delivering challenging courses in both the LER and the Department of Economics, where she holds a joint appointment. A valued colleague, she plays a key role in strengthening and nurturing the research culture in LER.”
