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We thank Luisa Corrado, Benjamin Jones, Josh Lerner, Matt Weinzierl and participants at the NBER Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policy and the Economy Conference 2026 for helpful comments. We thank Apoorva Babbar, Nathanael Hammond, Dipto Sikdar, Sonia Siming Tao, and Oliver Whalley for outstanding research assistance. Whalley thanks the Space-Defence Technologies Alberta initiative for research funding.
Does social distancing harm innovation? We estimate the effect of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs)—policies that restrict interactions in an attempt to slow the spread of disease—on local invention. We construct a panel of issued patents and NPIs adopted by 50 large US cities during the 1918 flu pandemic.
The university is a key source of talent and a key driver of innovation and economic growth in a knowledge based economy. But, in performing these very economic functions it also contributes to economic and spatial inequality. Our research uses a variety of new data to examine this Janus-face of the university in innovation and inequality across US metro areas.
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
