Onur Altindag

  • Associate Professor, Economics
  • Research Affiliate, Hopkins Economics of Alzheimer’s Disease & Services Center
  • Invited Researcher, JPAL/IPA Displaced Livelihoods Initiative
  • Research Affiliate, IZA - Institute of Labor Economics
  • Research Affliate, Households in Conflict Network
  • Research Fellow, Economic Research Forum (ERF)
  • Research Associate , Development Analytics
  • Visiting scientist , Harvard University Center for Population and Development Studies
  • Research affiliate , Value of Vaccination Research Network
  • PhD Graduate Center, City University of New York
  • Master of Arts University Paris 1 - Panthéon-Sorbonne
  • Bachelor of Arts Galatasaray University
  • Office: Adamian Academic Center - 181 | 781.216.7111 | OALTINDAG@BENTLEY.EDU
  • Department Phone: 781.216.7111

Teaching Interests

Applied Microeconomics, Econometrics, Health Economics, Development Economics

Research Interests

Health, Migration, Development

Consulting/Practice Interests

International Humanitarian Organizations (UNHCR & WFP)
International Labor Organization (ILO)

Professional Links

Professional Memberships

  • American Society of Health Economists 2020 - Present
  • International Health Economics Association 2020 - Present
  • Economic Research Forum 2019 - Present
  • Households in Conflict Network 2019 - Present
  • Bentley Health Thought Leadership Network 2017 - Present
  • Harvard University Center for Population and Development Studies 2017 - Present
  • Population Association of America 2017 - Present
  • American Economic Association 2015 - Present
  • Awards and Honors

  • 2016, David E. Bell Postdoctoral Fellowship , Harvard University
  • 2014, Information Technology Fellowship , Zicklin’s Online Learning and Evaluation Initiative, Baruch College, CUNY.
  • 2010, Enhanced Chancellor’s Fellowship , The Graduate Center, City University of New York
  • Publications

    Journal Articles


  • Altindag, O., Joyce, T. (2022). Another Day, Another Visit: Impact of Arkansas’ Mandatory Waiting Period for Women Seeking an Abortion by Demographic Groups. Journal of Public Economics.
  • Altindag, O., Greve, J., Tekin, E. (2022). Public Health Policy At Scale: Impact of a Government-sponsored Information Campaign on Infant Mortality in Denmark. Review of Economics and Statistics.
  • Altindag, O., O'Connell, S. (2022). The short-lived effects of unconditional cash transfers to refugees. Journal of Development Economics.
  • Altindag, R. O., Erten, B., Keskin, P. (2022). Mental Health Costs of Lockdowns: Evidence from Age-specific Curfews in Turkey. American Economic Journal: Applied Economics. (Link)
  • Altindag, R. O., O'Connell, S. D., Sasmaz, A., Balcioglu, Z., Cadoni, P., Jerneck, M., Foong, A. K. (2021). Targeting humanitarian aid using administrative data: Model design and validation. Journal of Development Economics, (148) (Link)
  • Altindag, R. O., Bakış, O., Rozo, S. V. (2020). Blessing or burden? Impacts of refugees on businesses and the informal economy. Journal of Development Economics, (146) 102490. (Link)
  • Altindag, R. O., Kaushal, N. (2020). Do refugees impact voting behavior in the host country? Evidence from Syrian refugee inflows to Turkey. Public Choice. 1-30. (Link)
  • Kobayashi, L. C., Altindag, R. O., Truskinovsky, Y., Berkman, L. F. (2019). Effects of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid Expansion on Subjective Well-Being in the US Adult Population, 2010–2016. American Journal of Public Health, (109) 9 1236-1242. (Link)
  • Altindag, R. O., Joyce, T. J., Reeder, J. A. (2019). Can Nonexperimental Methods Provide Unbiased Estimates of a Breastfeeding Intervention? A Within-Study Comparison of Peer Counseling in Oregon. Evaluation Review, (43) 3-4 152-188. (Link)
  • Altindag, R. O., Joyce, T. (2017). Judicial Bypass for Minors Seeking Abortions in Arkansas Versus Other States. American Journal of Public Health, (107) 8 1266-1271. (Link)
  • Joyce, T., Remler, D. K., Jaeger, D. A., Altindag, R. O., O'Connell, S. D., Crockett, S. (2017). On Measuring and Reducing Selection Bias With a Quasi-Doubly Randomized Preference Trial. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, (36) 2 438-459. (Link)
  • Altindag, R. O. (2016). Son Preference, Fertility Decline, and the Nonmissing Girls of Turkey. Demography, (53) 2 541-566. (Link)
  • Joyce, T., Crockett, S., Jaeger, D. A., Altindag, O., O'Connell, S. D. (2015). Does classroom time matter?. Economic of Education Review , (46) 64-77. (Link)
  • Reeder, J. A., Joyce, T., Sibley, K., Arnold, D., Altindag, O. (2014). Telephone Peer Counseling of Breastfeeding Among WIC Participants: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Pediatrics, (134) 3 E700-E709.
  • Presentations

  • Altindag, R. O. (2023). “ADRD, Family Caregiving and Children’s Labor Supply in Denmark.” Presented at the ASHEcon ASHEcon Annual Meeting St Louis MO
  • Altindag, R. O. (2023). “ADRD, Family Caregiving and Children’s Labor Supply in Denmark.” Presented at the Hopkins’ Economics of Alzheimer’s Disease & Services (HEADS) Center HEADS Center Seminar Baltimore MD.
  • Altindag, R. O. (2023). “Does targeting matter for the effectiveness of scaled cash transfer programs? Evidence from a natural field experiment.” Presented at the Northeastern University Northeastern University Economics Department Seminar Boston
  • Altindag, R. O. (2023). “Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccine in Denmark” Presented at the Harvard University The Value of Vaccination Research Network (VoVRN) Boston
  • Altindag, R. O. (2023). “Does targeting matter for the effectiveness of scaled cash transfer programs? Evidence from a natural field experiment” Presented at the Tufts University Tufts University Economics Department Seminar Metford
  • Altindag, R. O. (2023). “Targeting Cash-Based Assistance in Humanitarian Settings: Insights from Lebanon” Presented at the World Food Programme WFP Impact Evaluation Forum Rome
  • Altindag, R. O. (2022). “Another Day, Another Visit: Impact of Arkansas’ Mandatory Waiting Period for Women Seeking an Abortion by Demographic Groups.” Presented at the Southern Economic Association 2022 Annual Meeting Fort Lauderdale
  • Altindag, R. O. (2022). “Another Day, Another Visit: Impact of Arkansas’ Mandatory Waiting Period for Women Seeking an Abortion by Demographic Groups.” Presented at the APPAM 2022 Fall Conference Washington DC
  • Altindag, R. O. (2022). “The role of well-being measurement in targeting social protection programs” Presented at the UN High Commisionner for Refugees Country office presentation Beirut Lebanon
  • Altindag, R. O. (2022). “Public Health Policy At Scale: Impact of a Government-sponsored Information Campaign on Infant Mortality in Denmark.” Presented at the Deakin University. Economics Department Seminar Melbourne
  • Altindag, R. O. (2022). “Public Health Policy At Scale: Impact of a Government-sponsored Information Campaign on Infant Mortality in Denmark.” Presented at the Galatasaray University Economics Department Seminar Istanbul
  • Altindag, R. O. (2022). “Public Health Policy At Scale: Impact of a Government-sponsored Information Campaign on Infant Mortality in Denmark” Presented at the UMass Amherst Health Economics Seminar Amherst
  • Altindag, R. O. (2022). “Public Health Policy At Scale: Impact of a Government-sponsored Information Campaign on Infant Mortality in Denmark” Presented at the The Ohio State University John Glenn College of Public Affairs Seminar Ohio
  • Altindag, R. O. (2022). “The Short-lived Effects of Unconditional Cash Transfers to Refugees” Presented at the World Bank and UNHCR The 2nd Research Conference on Forced Displacement Washington DC
  • Altindag, R. O. (2021). “The short-lived effects of unconditional cash transfers to refugees” Presented at the41st BREAD Virtual Conference on Development Economics
  • Altindag, R. O. (2021). “Public Health Policy At Scale: Impact of a Government-sponsored Information Campaign on Infant Mortality in Denmark” Presented at the American University Department of Public Administration and Policy Seminar
  • Altindag, R. O. (2021). “Public Health Policy At Scale: Impact of a Government-sponsored Information Campaign on Infant Mortality in Denmark” Presented at the Bentley University Economics Department Seminar at Bentley University Zoom
  • Altindag, R. O. (2021). “The short-lived effects of unconditional cash transfers to refugees” Presented at the TOBB University Economics Department Seminar at TOBB University Zoom
  • Altindag, R. O. (2021). “Public Health Policy At Scale: Impact of a Government-sponsored Information Campaign on Infant Mortality in Denmark.” Presented at the Erasmus School of Economics Department Seminar
  • Altindag, O. (2021). “The short-lived effects of unconditional cash transfers to refugees” Presented at theERF 27th Annual Conference, Cairo.
  • Altindag, R. O. (2021). “The short-lived effects of unconditional cash transfers to refugees” Presented at theEuropean Economic Association Annual Congress
  • Altindag, R. O. (2021). “Public Health Policy At Scale: Impact of a Government-sponsored Information Campaign on Infant Mortality in Denmark” Presented at the Georgia Tech School of Economics Seminar
  • Altindag, R. O. (2021). “The short-lived effects of unconditional cash transfers to refugees” Presented at theIstanbul Metropolitan Municipality Planning Agency Seminar
  • Altindag, R. O. (2020). “Unconditional cash-based assistance to the poor: What do at-scale programs achieve?” Presented at theBentley University Economics Seminar
  • Altindag, R. O. (2020). “Mental Health Costs of Lockdowns: Evidence from Age-specific Curfews in Turkey.” Presented at theBentley University Humanities Seminar
  • Altindag, R. O. (2020). “Blessing or Burden? The Impact of Refugees on Businesses and the Informal Economy” Presented at theConference on Forced Displacement, Joint Data Center on Forced Displacement Copenhagen
  • Altindag, R. O. (2020). “Blessing or Burden? The Impact of Refugees on Businesses and the Informal Economy.” Presented at the Emory University Economics Department Seminar Atlanta
  • Altindag, R. O. (2020). “Unconditional cash-based assistance to the poor: What do at-scale programs achieve?” Presented at theEconomics Department Seminar, University of Connecticut
  • Altindag, R. O. (2020). “Mental Health Costs of Lockdowns: Evidence from Age-specific Curfews in Turkey.” Presented at theFifth Annual Population Health Science Research Workshop
  • Altindag, R. O. (2020). “Unconditional cash-based assistance to the poor: What do at-scale programs achieve?” Presented at theMiddle East Economic Association Annual Meeting
  • Altindag, R. O. (2020). “Mental Health Costs of Lockdowns: Evidence from Age-specific Curfews in Turkey.” Presented at theNBER Health Economics Program 2020 Fall Meeting
  • Altindag, R. O. (2020). “Targeting Humanitarian Aid Using Administrative Data: Model Design and Validation.” Presented at the PAA Population Association of America
  • Altindag, R. O. (2020). “Targeting Humanitarian Aid Using Administrative Data: Model Design and Validation.” Presented at the Bogazici University Remote Seminar in Economics
  • Altindag, R. O. (2020). “Unconditional cash-based assistance to the poor: What do at-scale programs achieve?” Presented at theUnited Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Basic Assistance Group Meeting
  • Altindag, R. O. (2019). “Do vaccines mitigate the long-term impact of poor health at birth?” Presented at the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies Harvard School of Public Health, Friday lunch seminar Boston
  • Altindag, R. O. (2019). “Do vaccines mitigate the long-term impact of poor health at birth?” Presented at the International Health Economics Association International Health Economics Association Annual Meeting Basel Switzerland
  • Altindag, R. O. (2019). “Blessing or Burden? The Impact of Refugees on Businesses and the Informal Economy” Presented at the UCD Geary Institute for Public Policy IZA Annual Migration Meeting Dublin/Ireland
  • Altindag, R. O. (2019). “Blessing or Burden? The Impact of Refugees on Businesses and the Informal Economy” Presented at the Population Association of America Population Association of America Annual Meeting Austin/Texas
  • Altindag, R. O. (2019). “Targeting humanitarian aid using administrative data: model design and validation.” Presented at the Heriot-Watt University Research Initiative on the Economics of the Middle East Edinburgh/Scotland
  • Altindag, R. O. (2018). “Blessing or Burden? The Impact of Refugees on Businesses and the Informal Economy ” Presented at the Paris I Sorbonne University RIEME 3rd Meeting Paris
  • Altindag, R. O. (2018). “Blessing or Burden? The Impact of Refugees on Businesses and the Informal Economy ” Presented at the USC Marshall School of Business Conference on the Impacts of Refugees in Hosting Economies Los Angeles
  • Altindag, R. O. (2018). “Blessing or Burden? The Impact of Refugees on Businesses and the Informal Economy ” Presented at the Bogazici University Social Policy and Development Seminars Istanbul
  • Altindag, R. O. (2018). “Blessing or Burden? The Impact of Refugees on Businesses and the Informal Economy ” Presented at the The Rockwool Foundation The Rockwool Foundation economics seminar Copenhagen
  • Altindag, R. O. (2018). “Blessing or Burden? The Impact of Refugees on Businesses and the Informal Economy ” Presented at the VIVE - The Danish Center for Social Science Research VIVE economics seminar Copenhagen
  • Altindag, R. O. (2018). “Blessing or Burden? The Impact of Refugees on Businesses and the Informal Economy ” Presented at the Midwest Economics Association Midwest Economics Association Annual Meeting Chicago
  • Altindag, O., Kaushal, N. (2017). “Do Refugees Impact Voting Behavior in the Host Country? Evidence from Syrian Refugee Inflows in Turkey ” Presented at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies New Perspectives on Political Economy of the Middle East Oxford University
  • Altindag, O., Joyce , T., Reeder , J. (2017). “Effects of Peer Counseling to Support Breastfeeding: Assessing the External Validity of a Randomized Field Experiment” Presented at the Sol Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California 28th Annual Health Economics Conference California
  • Altindag, O., Joyce , T., Reeder , J. (2017). “Effects of Peer Counseling to Support Breastfeeding: Assessing the External Validity of a Randomized Field Experiment” Presented at the International Health Economics Association IHEA Boston 2017 Congress Boston
  • Altindag, O., Kaushal , N. (2017). “Do Refugees Impact Voting Behavior in the Host Country? Evidence from Syrian Refugee Inflows in Turkey ” Presented at the Koc University Economics Department Seminar Istanbul
  • Altindag, O., Kaushal, N. (2017). “Do Refugees Impact Voting Behavior in the Host Country? Evidence from Syrian Refugee Inflows in Turkey ” Presented at the Population Association of American PAA 2017 Chicago
  • Altindag, O., Kaushal , N. (2017). “Do Refugees Impact Voting Behavior in the Host Country? Evidence from Syrian Refugee Inflows in Turkey ” Presented at the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies Friday Luncheon Seminar Cambridge
  • Service

    Department Service


  • Committee Member for Principles Committee 2020 - Present
  • Committee Member for Economics Department Scholarly Activity Committee 2018 - Present
  • Committee Member for Economics Department Hiring Committee 2022 - 2023
  • Committee Member for Economics Department Hiring Committee 2021 - 2022
  • Interviewer for Economics Department Hiring Committee 2020 - 2021
  • Committee Member for Economics Department Hiring Committee 2018 - 2019
  • University Service


  • Committee Member for Bentley Research Council (BRC) 2023 - Present
  • Committee Member for Enrollment Management Committee 2021 - Present
  • Committee Member for GSA Professional Development Fund Committee 2020 - Present
  • Committee Member for Humanities Research Seminar 2020 - 2021
  • Professional Service


  • Reviewer, Journal Article for Journal of Demographic Economics 2023 - Present
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for Journal of Policy Analysis and Management 2023 - Present
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for American Economic Journal: Economic Policy 2022 - Present
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for Journal of Development Economics 2022 - Present
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for Journal of Public Economics 2022 - Present
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for Labour Economics 2022 - Present
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for Economic Journal 2021 - 2021
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for Economics and Human Biology 2021 - 2021
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for Government and Opposition 2021 - 2021
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for Journal of Health Economics 2021 - 2021
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for Journal of Politics 2021 - 2021
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for PLOS ONE 2021 - 2021
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for Scottish Journal of Political Economy 2021 - 2021
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for World Development 2021 - 2021
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for Demography 2020 - 2020
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for American Journal of Public Health 2019 - 2019
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for Demography 2019 - 2019
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for European Economic Review 2019 - 2019
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for Feminist Economics 2019 - 2019
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for Fusio, The Bentley Undergraduate Research Journal 2019 - 2019
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for Health Economics 2019 - 2019
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for Journal of Demographic Economics 2019 - 2019
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for Journal of Human Resources 2019 - 2019
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for PLOS ONE 2019 - 2019
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for Journal of Population Economics 2018 - 2018
  • Reviewer, Conference Paper for Midwest Economic Association 2018 - 2018
  • Reviewer, Conference Paper for Population Association of America 2018 - 2018
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for Economics & Human Biology 2017 - 2017
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for Journal of Economic Education 2017 - 2017
  • Reviewer, Journal Article for Social Science and Medicine 2017 - 2017