Lea-Rachel Kosnik
Professor of Economics
Lea-Rachel Kosnik
Professor of Economics
Bio:
Lea-Rachel Kosnik is a Professor of Economics at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. She received her BA and MA from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and her PhD from the University of California-Los Angeles, after having spent a year as a Fulbright Scholar in Ankara, Turkey studying hydroelectric power and renewable energy in the Middle East. Professor Kosnik's research focuses primarily on energy and environmental issues, including climate change and electricity generation, and she is a considered a leading expert on the topic of hydroelectric energy production in the U.S., and hydropower regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. In recent years her research has expanded to include important analyses of the academic economics profession itself, including studies that focus on gender issues, DEI initiatives, and retirement and research productivity. Methodologically, her skill set includes textual analysis and natural language processing, along with traditional econometric techniques. In 2016 she received an honorable mention for Article of the Year from Contemporary Economic Policy, and in 2022 she gave the keynote address to the Illinois Economics Association. She has also served in a number of important service capacities, including as Midwest Representative and Regional Co-ordinator for the Association of Enironmental and Resource Economists' (AERE) environmental sessions at the annual MEA meetings, as an AERE Board Member, as President, Past-President, and Board Member of the Transportation and Public Utilities Group (TPUG), as a Senior Editor for the journal Cogent Economics & Finance, and as Department Chair.
CV:
CV - Abbreviated (January, 2024)
Publications:
Kosnik, L.R. 2024. "Where We're At, and What We're Looking For." Cogent Economics & Finance
12(1):2368897.
Kosnik, L.R., and Daniel S. Hamermesh. 2024. "Aging in Style: Seniority and Sentiment in Scholarly Writing."
Southern Economic Journal In Press.
[Data File] [Do File] [Tables]
Bellas, Allen, and L.R. Kosnik. 2024. "When is the Ark Getting Here? The Impact of the Media on Threatened
and Endangered Species' Time to Listing and Long-Term Sustainability." In Press.
Hamermesh, Daniel S., and L.R. Kosnik. 2024. "Why Do Older Scholars Slow Down?" Economic Inquiry
62(1):488-499.
Kosnik, L.R. 2023. "Additional Evidence on Gender and Language in Academic Economics Research."
Scientometrics 128:5949-5968.
Hamermesh, Daniel S., and L.R. Kosnik. 2023. "Why Do Older Scholars Slow Down?" NBER Working
Paper Series.
Kuminoff, Nicolai V., Katherine Ciaramello, Hanna M. Dooley, Martin Heintzelman, Neha Khanna, Lea-Rachel
Kosnik, Lynne Lewis, and Eric. Trimble. 2023. "New Evidence on Diversity in Environmental and Resource
Economics." Review of Environmental Economics and Policy. 17(1):178-187.
Kosnik, L.R., and Daniel S. Hamermesh. 2023. "Aging in Style: Does How We Write Matter?" IZA
Working Paper Series.
Bellas, Allen, and L.R. Kosnik. 2023. "The Local and Aggregated Impacts of Stay-at-Home Orders
on State Level Unemployment Outcomes." Eastern Economic Journal 49(2):142-155.
Kosnik, L.R. 2022. "Who Are the More Dismal Economists? Gender and Language in Academic
Economics Research." AEA Papers and Proceedings 112:1-5.
Kosnik, L.R., and Allen Bellas. 2020. "Drivers of COVID-19 Stay at Home Orders: Epidemiologic,
Economic, or Political Concerns?" Economics of Disasters and Climate Change 4(3):503-514.
Fogarty, B., Kimball, D.C., Kosnik, L.R. 2020. "The Media, Voter Fraud, and the U.S. 2012 Elections."
Journal of Elections, Public Opinion and Parties 10.1080/17457289.2019.1711383
Bellas, Allen and L. Kosnik. 2020. "A Retrospective Benefit Cost Analysis on the Elwha River Restoration
Project." Journal of Benefit Cost Analysis 11(1):76-100..
Kosnik, L.R. 2018. "Cap-and-Trade versus Carbon Taxes: Which Market Mechanism Does the Public
Favor?" (26 pgs.) Climatic Change 151(3):605-618.
Bellas, Allen and L. Kosnik. 2018. "Which Leading Journal Leads? Idea Diffusion in Economics Research
Journals." Empirical Economics 57:901-921.
Kosnik, L. 2018. "JEL Codes - What Do They Mean and Are They Used Consistently?" (36 pgs.) Journal of
Economic Surveys 32(1):249-272.
Kosnik, L. 2016. "In Tandem or Out of Sync? Academic Economics Research and Public Policy
Measures." Contemporary Economic Policy 34(1):190-202.
Kosnik, L. 2015. "What Have Economists Been Doing for the Last 50 Years? A Text Analysis of
Published Academic Research from 1960-2010." Economics 9:1-38.
Kosnik, L. 2014. "Determinants of Contract Completeness: An Environmental Regulatory Application."
International Review of Law and Economics 37:198-208.
Kosnik, L (Associate Editor). 2014. Environmental and Natural Resource Economics: An Encyclopedia,
eds. by Tim Haab and John Whitehead. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO, Inc.
Kosnik, L. 2014. "Energy - Alternative Sources." Entry In: Environmental and Natural Resource Economics:
An Encyclopedia, eds. by Tim Haab and John Whitehead. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO, Inc.
Kosnik, L. 2014. "Elinor Ostrom." Entry In: Environmental and Natural Resource Economics: An Encyclopedia,
eds. by Tim Haab and John Whitehead. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO, Inc.
Kosnik, L. 2012. "The Anticommons and the Environment." Journal of Environmental Management.
101:1-12.
Kosnik, L. and Ian Lange. 2011. "Contract Renegotiation and Rent Re-Distribution: Who Gets Raked Over
the Coals." The Journal of Environmental Economics and Management 62:155-165.
Kosnik, L. 2010. "The Potential for Small Scale Hydropower Development in the U.S." Energy Policy
38(10):5512-5519.
Kosnik, L. 2010. "River-Basin Water Management in the U.S.: A Regulatory Anticommons." Environmental
& Energy Law & Policy Journal 5(2):183-213.
Kosnik, L. 2010. "Balancing Environmental Protection and Energy Production in the Federal Hydropower
Licensing Process." Land Economics 86(3):444-466..
Kosnik, L. 2010. "Time to Pick a Fight? Interest Group Decision Making to Enter the Hydropower Regulatory
Process." Eastern Economic Journal 36(1):11-32.
Kosnik, L. 2009. "Letter: Regarding Voting for Charity's Sake." The Economists' Voice 6(3):Article 4.
Kosnik, L. 2008. "The Potential of Water Power in the Fight Against Global Warming in the U.S."
Energy Policy 36(9):3252-3265.
Kosnik, L. 2008. "Refusing to Budge: A Confirmatory Bias in Decision Making?" Mind and Society
7(2):193-214.
Kosnik, L. 2008. "Consolidation & Ownership Trends of Nonfederal Hydropower Generating Assets,
1980-2003." Energy Economics 30(3):715-731.
Kosnik, L. 2007. "The Greening of Higher Education." Association of Environmental and Resource Economists
Newsletter 27(2):22-25.
Kosnik, L. 2006. “Sources of Bureaucratic Delay: A Case Study of FERC Dam Relicensing.” Journal
of Law, Economics, and Organization 22(1):258-288.
Meiners, R.E. and Kosnik, L. 2003. “Restoring Harmony in the Klamath Basin.” PERC Policy Series 27:1-28.
Anderson, T.L. and Kosnik, L. 2002. “Sustainable Skepticism and Sustainable Development.” Case Western
Reserve Law Review 53(2):439-48.
Yandle, B., Morriss, A.P. and Kosnik, L. 2002. Regulating Air Quality Through Litigation: The Diesel
Engine Episode Bozeman: PERC.
Yandle, B., Morriss, A.P. and Kosnik, L. 2002. “Regulation by Litigation: The Diesel Engine Episode.”
PERC Policy Series 25:1-27.
Working Papers:
Kosnik, L.R. 2024. "Picking Up the PACE: An Estimate of the Environmental Benefits to 'Set the PACE'
Projects in St. Louis." Under Review.
Haab, Tim, L.R. Kosnik, and John Whitehead. 2024. "What Do Environmental and Resource Economists
Think? An Update." Working Paper.
Kosnik, L.R. 2024. "The Cat and His Hat: A Contingent Valuation on the Value of a Statistical Cat Life."
Working Paper.
Kosnik, L.R. 2023. "Small-Scale Hydropower, An Update: Production, Potential, and Global Environmental
Justice Implications." Working Paper.
Bellas, Allen, and L.R. Kosnik. 2021. "COVID-19 Extension." Working Paper.
Karig, M., Kosnik, L.R., Nayak, S., and Douglas Smith. 2020. "Assessing Residential Customer Satisfaction
for Large Electric Utilities." (35 pgs.) Revise and Resubmit.
Kosnik, L.R. 2018. "RGGI Auction Prices and Tone." Working Paper.
Kosnik, L.R. 2018. "Extended Producer Responsibility Laws by State.." Working Paper.
Ghost Papers (that appear to have died a spooky, inexplicable death):
Kosnik, L. and L. Collingwood. 2013. "Automated Text Classification of Legal Contracts Using
Supervised Learning Methods."
Kosnik, L., Mark Jamison, and Ted Kury. 2012. "Quantifying the Effects of Carbon Dioxide Emissions
Limits on the Electricity Market in China." (6 pgs.)
Kosnik, L. 2011. "The National Security Benefit to Domestic Energy Production."
Kosnik, L. 2007. "Hydropower: A Comparative Regulatory Analysis of the U.S., New Zealand, and China."
Kosnik, L. 2004. "An Aggregation Effect in Behavioral Decision-Making." (30 pgs.)
Interviews/Write-Ups/The Popular Press (Selected):
VoxEU, May 24, 2023. "Economists Growing Old." The Center for Economic Policy Research.
St. Louis Public Radio-NPR, November 11, 2021. "Spire is Warning of Winter Gas Shortages."
UMSL Daily , February 8, 2021. "Ask An Expert - Faculty Spotlight."
UMSL Daily, April 13, 2020. "UMSL Faculty, Students Featured on St. Louis Fed's 'Women
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, March 30, 2020. "Women in Economics: Marie Mora and
LA Times, January 7, 2020. "Why Do Gas Prices Rise Quickly, and Come Down Really, Really
St. Louis Public Radio-NPR, November 18, 2018. "Climate Change to Bring Missouri Heavier Rains, Hotter
The Christian Science Monitor, May 13, 2016. "Hydropower's Next Act: Becoming a Less-Controversial
E&E News, February 23, 2015. "Net Metering Produced a Benefit in MO., Report Says."
Alternatives Economiques, December 2014. "C'est prouve scientifiquement: les economistes ont la grosse tete!"
UMSL Daily, December 8, 2014, "UMSL Economist Publishes Novel on Judith Shakespeare."
Investor's Business Daily, June 3, 2014, "Energy Employers Can't Find Enough Young Job Seekers."
KWMU St. Louis Public Radio interview, December 19, 2013, on the economy and extending government
unemployment benefits.
KWMU St. Louis Public Radio interview, August 1, 2013, "Jury Still Out on Missouri Sales Tax Holidays -
Are You Shopping This Weekend?"
The Tribune-Star, March 2, 2013, "Environmental Economist to Speak on River-Basin Regulation,
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, December 16, 2012, "Boeing, Wash U., Others Play 'What If' with the Fiscal
UMSL Daily, January 12, 2012, "Economist Discusses Future of Ethanol Industry, Gas Prices."
KWMU St. Louis Public Radio interview, January 10, 2012, "The Future of Ethanol."
The Current, November 28, 2011, "Climate Scientists' Warning to Prepare for Extreme Weather
Follows Record-Setting Summer."
KDHX radio interview, November 10, 2011, "Earthworms: Environmental Economics and Energy Markets."
HEC-TV, July, 2011, "Impact: Environmental Mom/Economist."
Jewish Light, April 21, 2011, "UMSL Professor Combines Environment and Economics."
The Current, March 8, 2011, "UMSL Professor Plays an Active Part in EPA's 2011 Clean Air Act."
The Current, March 1, 2011, "UMSL Economist Kosnik, Movie Star Portman Join."
KMOX/CBS St. Louis media interview (print), February 24, 2011, "Missouri Mom Combats Pollutant."
KMOX/CBS St. Louis media interview (radio), February 24, 2011, "Missouri Mom Combats Pollutant."
UMSL Newsroom Blog, February 22, 2011, "Economist Joins Natalie Portman, Scientist Moms to
The Current, October 18, 2010, "Who is Big in Science on Campus?"
The St.Louis Post-Dispatch, August 10, 2010, "Saggin Income Signals Tough Road Ahead ":
UMSL Newsroom Blog, June 29, 2010, "Environmental Economist Overcomes Obstacles, Now in
Science Matters Blog, December 9, 2009, "During Copenhagen, Scientists Speak on What We
Should Do About Climate Change."
The Current, September 8, 2009, "Lea-Rachel Kosnik's Knowledge Combines Environment and
The St.Louis Post-Dispatch, May 7, 2009, "The 'Paradox of Thrift': We're Saving More Now and the
Timing Couldn't Be Worse": http://www.stltoday.com
The Current, April 27, 2009, "Summit Discusses Energy Sources."
KWMU media interview, April 23, 2009, for a local piece on the UM-Energy Summit
KFRU news talk radio interview, April 22, 2009, "Simon Rose and Renee Hulshof" 10 am program
The St.Louis Post-Dispatch, February 16, 2009, "As Economy Sours, it's Sweet to be an Economist":
The Current, February 2, 2009, "Faculty Spotlight: Lea-Rachel Kosnik": Environmental Economist
pushes "second-effect thinking."
Miller-McCune, January 22, 2008, "Hydro Doesn't Have to be Big":
http://miller-mccune.com/main/article/142
Miller-McCune, January 23, 2008, "Reducing the Big Problem of Climate Change by Adding
Little Hydroelectric Plants ": http://miller-mccune.com/main/article/143
Miller-McCune, January 24, 2008, "Big Hydro is Dead! Long Live Big Hydro!":
http://miller-mccune.com/main/article/144
Ethical Corporation, November 10, 2007, "Greening Campuses": pages1&2
Business First, December 15, 2005, "Agreement Addresses Range of Development Issues":
Upcoming Conference/Seminar Attendance/Presentation:
October, 2024
Heartland - Environmental and Resource Economics Workshop
January, 2025
American Economic Association Annual Meeting
March, 2025
Midwest Economics Association Annual Meeting
May, 2025
AERE Summer Conference