Robson Hatsukami Morgan, Ph.D.

I'm an Associate Professor of Social Sciences at Minerva University, where as of August 2025 I also serve as Head of the College of Social Sciences. .

My research is in happiness economics: using large survey datasets and statistical techniques to figure out how specific policies and life circumstances actually affect people's self-reported well-being. Before Minerva, I was a Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of Southern California's Center for Economic and Social Research, where I received my Ph.D. in Economics in 2016. I also hold a B.A. in Economics from the University of British Columbia.

My work has been covered in outlets like The Economist and the New York Times, and I occasionally write for a general audience — see the links below.

• 2025–present Head of the College of Social Sciences, Minerva University
• 2021–present Associate Professor of Economics, Minerva University
• 2018–2021 Assistant Professor, Minerva Project
• 2016–2017 Postdoctoral Scholar, USC Center for Economic and Social Research
• 2010–2016 Ph.D., Economics, University of Southern California
• 2004–2008 B.A., Economics, University of British Columbia

Selected publications on happiness & well-being economics:

• China's Life Satisfaction, 1990–2010 PNAS
• Labor Market Policy and Subjective Well-Being During the Great Recession Journal of Happiness Studies
• Well-Being in Transition: Life Satisfaction in Urban China, 2002–2012 Journal of Happiness Studies
• Experienced Life Cycle Satisfaction in Europe Review of Behavioral Economics
• Does the U-shape Pattern in Life Cycle Satisfaction Obscure Reality? A Response to Blanchflower Review of Behavioral Economics
• Growth and Subjective Well-Being in China Book Chapter
• Wealthier, Happier, and More Self-Sufficient NBER Working Paper

Elsewhere on the web:

• Faculty profile at Minerva University
• Articles at The Conversation
• LinkedIn
• X / Twitter

Email: robsonhmorgan@gmail.com