Ben Freyens

Biography

Labour economist specialised in the study of employment protection regulation and the arbitration of dismissal disputes. I am particularly interested in estimating the labour demand effects from stricter (or looser) employment protection - such as employment, productivity and wage responses. I also investigate political economy (and law & economics) questions such as whether political bias can be observed in the decisions of labour court judges, and whether any observed bias varies with the economic and regulatory contexts. On a separate plan, I have since 2007 developed and maintained a strong research agenda in the economics of radio spectrum allocation, having conducted several research projects for the Australian Communications and Media Authority on spectrum economics, frequency licensing and radio transmission technologies. This research has led to 15 publications, a number of which in prestigious outlets and combines theoretical models (general equilibrium and optimal control) with applied or policy-oriented work.

Research Interest

Labour economics: employment protection, dispute arbitration, personnel economics Telecommunications economics, efficient spectrum allocation Poverty measurement, quasi-markets, social capital, social policy   Finally, I have a number of secondary research projects on global poverty measurement, social capital measurement, community resilience to external shocks, indigenous identity, workforce planning, and family relationships, although I have generally been unable to dedicate much resources to these areas in recent years.