Matthew Harding is an economist who conducts research on Theoretical and Applied Econometrics with a focus on Energy and Environmental Economics. He is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics at Stanford University and a SIEPR Faculty Fellow.

His econometric work is concerned with the estimation of large panel data models often resulting from economic transactions and recorded in scanner-based data sets or large customer databases. These models involve latent variables and unobserved heterogeneity. His research also explores the use of nonparametric Bayesian methods to estimate choice models with random coefficients, duration models and heterogeneous treatment effects. Additionally, he uses quantile regression methods to develop new estimators for forecasting using panel data.

His economic policy oriented work addresses important challenges in Energy and Environmental Economics. He is investigating the behavioral mechanisms which determine environmental choices and energy efficiency. He is collaborating with industry leaders in energy efficiency in implementing large scale field experiments involving novel behavioral incentives for energy conservation and evaluating and designing new markets for green energy products. His research is supported by the Precourt Energy Efficiency Center and the NRDC.

He is also actively involved in understanding the relationship between economic consumption choices and health and nutrition. He is analyzing hundreds of millions of transactions in grocery stores in order to understand the impact of the economic environment: prices, search costs or industry structure on nutritional intake and the resulting health outcomes such as obesity and heart disease.