Society of Labor Economists

Society of Labor Economists News and opinions of interest to labor economists. During the next decade, the Journal became the top academic publication in its field.

In 1983, Edward Lazear launched the Journal of Labor Economics with the support of NORC at the University of Chicago and the University of Chicago Press. In 1996 Lazear conceived the idea of a Society of Labor Economists to promote the study of labor economics and enhance the contribution of labor economics and labor economists to the field. Lazear drafted the Bylaws and submitted them to the read

ership of the JOLE. They were ratified by a vote of 367-3 in October 1995. Lazear immediately enlisted the cooperation of some of the top names in the field to join him on the Executive Board of the Society and stand for election as officers. The list of SOLE past presidents below is a Who’s Who of the labor economics profession. Membership in the Society is open to all subscribers to the Journal. The main function of the Society is to hold an annual meeting to promote and disseminate research. Submission of presentations at this meeting is open to all labor economists anywhere in the world, with the goal of attracting the broadest possible participation regardless of institutional affiliation or seniority. Lazear also invited the Managing Editor of the Journal, Maggie Newman, to serve as the administrator of the Society and run its annual meetings, which she has done since the first meeting, held May 3-4 1996 in Chicago. 150 distinguished labor economists attended that event; during the next 15 years that number has grown significantly and the meetings now average 400 participants annually. Maggie also maintains the Society’s website and handles its legal and financial affairs -- the Society was granted 501(c)(6) status by the IRS in 2004. Beginning in 2000, SOLE affiliated with the European Association of Labor Economics (EALE) and every five years the two hold a joint meeting, alternating the hosting responsibilities. These joint meetings attract over 500 participants and feature 400 academic presentations. In 2004, the Society expanded its role to include the establishment of Fellows and the presentation of annual awards to distinguished researchers in labor economics.

At , Yale’s Kerwin Charles delivered the Rees Lecture on race, labor markets, and the long shadow of history. He examin...
06/17/2026

At , Yale’s Kerwin Charles delivered the Rees Lecture on race, labor markets, and the long shadow of history. He examined why Black-white economic gaps persist despite past progress, highlighting the role of segregation, geography, and “missing neighborhoods” in shaping opportunity today. Read the full recap:

Dr. Charles began the lecture by highlighting how Albert Rees was part of a generation of economists who were foundational to the modern field of labor economics. One important aspect these economists studied was racial differences – especially Black-white differences – in labor market outcomes....

It’s been a tough year for tech workers as the industry has been hit a record number of layoffs. Nearly 120,000 tech wor...
06/16/2026

It’s been a tough year for tech workers as the industry has been hit a record number of layoffs. Nearly 120,000 tech workers have been let go this year as companies slim down their staffs in the name of AI productivity. As consensus grows in Silicon Valley and Wall Street about an incoming artificial intelligence “job apocalypse,” there are few answers on what comes next.

Many don’t apply because they don’t believe they will be eligible for benefits.

Punching In: What Julie Su Learned Leading the Labor Department https://buff.ly/2tlQT2N
06/15/2026

Punching In: What Julie Su Learned Leading the Labor Department https://buff.ly/2tlQT2N

Former acting Labor Secretary Julie Su talks affordability in New York City and NIH scientists raise red flags again.

Labor economist Kathryn Anne Edwards isn't worried AI will create a new class of permanently idle Americans — but argues...
06/05/2026

Labor economist Kathryn Anne Edwards isn't worried AI will create a new class of permanently idle Americans — but argues it's still time for the government to fix the social safety net https://buff.ly/LOZ7Aww

Labor economist Kathryn Anne Edwards isn't worried AI will create a new class of permanently idle Americans — but argues it's still time for the government to fix the social safety net

Whisper it, but the US jobs market may have turned a corner...
06/04/2026

Whisper it, but the US jobs market may have turned a corner...

The U.S. jobs market has long been characterized as "low hire, low fire," with weak labor demand offset by shrinking labor supply after the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. But this delicate balance may be shifting in a positive direction.

SAVE THE DATE! The Society of Labor Economists will hold its Thirtieth Annual Meeting April 30 - May 1, 2027 in Baltimor...
05/03/2026

SAVE THE DATE! The Society of Labor Economists will hold its Thirtieth Annual Meeting April 30 - May 1, 2027 in Baltimore, Maryland. We can't wait to see you there!

Look out for the Call for Papers in August!

Arriving in Denver for ? Pick up your badge tonight! Registration will be open from 6-7pm in LL2 of the Hilton Denver C...
04/30/2026

Arriving in Denver for ? Pick up your badge tonight! Registration will be open from 6-7pm in LL2 of the Hilton Denver City Center. Save time and skip the morning line! https://buff.ly/lwBguRG

We are delighted to begin this week for what promises to be an exciting and engaging two days! This year’s program inc...
04/28/2026

We are delighted to begin this week for what promises to be an exciting and engaging two days! This year’s program includes 80 regular sessions; three invited sessions on immigration, investing in children, and technology and firms; and a poster session featuring research on a wide range of topics in labor economics. See the full final PDF program: https://buff.ly/L4gHwUd

Most Americans Think the Job Market Will Get Worse. Major companies are laying off, and even people with stable employme...
04/28/2026

Most Americans Think the Job Market Will Get Worse. Major companies are laying off, and even people with stable employment are spooked

Major companies are laying off thousands, but overall unemployment hasn’t budged. Even people with stable employment and high salaries are spooked.

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