Lily Hsueh
Master of Science, University College London, 2001
Contact Information:
Parrington Hall, room 405
lhsueh@u.washington.edu
206.616.5204
Areas of specialization:
Environmental Economics; Politics; and Policy; Econometrics, Governance
Lily Hsueh started the Evans School Ph.D. in Public Policy and Management program in 2007.
Much of Hsueh’s research has been built around the study of industrial pollution problems and theories and practices of alternative governance approaches, namely private regulation to address pollution. Her research objective is to show if, when, and how various forms of private regulation might be efficient and effective in achieving key environmental, economic, and social objectives. She is interested in both the intended and unintended consequences that private regulation can have on behavior. Methodologically, Hsueh utilizes advanced econometrics, along with systematic qualitative methods to uncover causal impact and trace policy processes.
Hsueh’s dissertation investigates the policy impact of voluntary agreements, one form of private regulation, on poisonous but commercially important chemicals; and the compliance related decision-making and negotiation process that have led to them. Hsueh is a recipient of the University of Washington’s Presidential Dissertation Fellowship.
Prior to her doctoral studies, Hsueh worked for six years a senior analyst for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. Her other professional analytical experience includes serving as a research associate for the U.S. Department of Justice and the Congressional Budget Office. Hsueh has been the founding member, board member, and campaign coordinator for international environmental NGOs.
Of particular note was Hsueh’s involvement with social and natural scientists from U.C. Berkeley and the National Taiwan University in which they successfully developed strategies for alternative economic development and sustainability in coastal Taiwan that involved multiple stakeholders. Through her participation in this and other similar projects, she has learned that not all conflicts over the environment have clear cut answers; however, all entail the allocation of scarce resources involving collective action problems that are mediated by politics and shaped by norms. It is at this intersection of many forces—economic, socio-cultural, ecological, and political forces—where public policy is created and contested.
Hsueh holds a Master of Science in Economics from the University College London, and a BA in economics and environmental economics and policy from the University of California, Berkeley.
Publications:
“Private Voluntary Programs in Climate Change: U.S. Federal Government as the Sponsoring Actor,” with Aseem Prakash in Private Voluntary Programs in Global Climate Policy: Pitfalls and Potentials, edited by Karsten Ronit. United Nations University Press, forthcoming.
“Unpacking Regulators: Federal and State-level Voluntary Programs in U.S. Climate Change Policies,”with Aseem Prakash, revised and resubmitted for Regulation & Governance.
“Beyond Regulations: Industry Voluntary Ban in Arsenic Use,” Under review.
“Trends in Bay Area IT Employment” for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s FRBSF Economic Letter, Number 2007-23, August 3, 2007.
“Recession in the West: Not a Rerun of 1990-1991” with Mary Daly for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s FRBSF Economic Letter, Number 2002-06, March 8, 2002