Racial Discrimination in the Labor Market for Recent College Graduates: Evidence from a Field Experiment
Published in The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy (2015)

This study provides experimental evidence of racial discrimination in the labor market for college graduates. By submitting 9,400 fictitious résumés with racially distinct names to online job postings, the researchers found:

• Discrimination Exists: Black-named applicants received 14% fewer interview requests than equally qualified White-named applicants.
• Customer-Facing Roles See More Bias: Jobs requiring significant customer interaction showed greater racial disparities.
• Potential Drivers: While the evidence leans toward taste-based discrimination, risk aversion by employers cannot be ruled out.

This research has been cited widely in media like Fortune Magazine and National Public Radio, contributing to policy discussions on equity and bias in hiring practices.