By Jim Flynn
David Slusky is an applied micro-economist at the University of Kansas, where he is affiliated the Department of Economics, the Department of Population Health, and the Institute for Policy & Social Research. He is a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research and a Research Fellow at IZA – the Institute for Labor Economics, in Bonn, Germany. He also serves as the Chair of the Department of Speech-Language-Hearing: Sciences & Disorders at the University of Kansas and, most importantly for this discussion, as the Executive Director of the American Society of Health Economists.
Jim: Thanks for taking the time to speak with us. Let’s start with a broad question: how would you describe the current state of ASHEcon?
David: The current state of ASHEcon is strong. We have had over the past few years growing submission volumes, conference attendance, and sponsorships. Our members are motivated and engaged and willing to serve in all levels, from peer reviewer to program chair to board member to officer.
Jim: For those who haven’t served in a leadership position at a non-profit organization like ASHEcon, could you describe what your role as Executive Director entails?
David: I’m effectively the COO. I manage the day-to-day of ASHEcon necessary to making sure our annual conference and other activities are a success.
Jim: What do you think ASHEcon is doing especially well right now, and is there an area where the organization is focused on growing and improving?
David: I think we’re achieving our goal of a high-quality large conference that feels like a small conference. We want to get as many new papers as possible on the program while ensuring that every session is high quality and that everyone feels like they are part of a broader supportive community.
We’re always tweaking our program areas year to year. Sometimes we split areas, sometimes we merge areas, sometimes we create new areas, and sometimes we retire areas.
Jim: Given the current funding environment and broader uncertainty in research support, what role do you see ASHEcon playing in helping sustain the pipeline of health economists, especially early-career researchers?
David: If researchers can only go to one conference a year, I want it to be ASHEcon. The goal is a combination of formal speed mentoring, actionable feedback on their work, and informal networking and relationship building.
Jim: If you could give one piece of advice to current PhD students in health economics, what would it be?
David: Build out your network of mentors. Your advisor and committee members are crucial, but so are scholars at other institutions.
Jim: What is your favorite part of the annual conference, and what are you most looking forward to about ASHEcon in Minneapolis?
David: I love getting to see so many of my former students, collaborators, and friends and am very much looking forward to that again.
Jim: Is there anything I have not asked about that you would like to share with our members?
David: Get involved! Write something for the newsletter. Be a peer reviewer. Volunteer to be a program chair.
Lightning round questions:
Favorite book?
Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince
Favorite film?
Spaceballs
Favorite city that has not (yet) hosted ASHEcon?
Kansas City 😉
Economics paper that most influenced your thinking?
Brot-Goldberg, Zarek C., Amitabh Chandra, Benjamin R. Handel, and Jonathan T. Kolstad, “What does a Deductible Do? The Impact of Cost-Sharing on Health Care Prices, Quantities, and Spending Dynamics,” Quarterly Journal of Economics, 2017, 132(3), 1261–1318.
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