Hyunji Kim

PhD Candidate in Economics

University of Washington

Biography

Hello! I am a PhD Candidate in Economics at the University of Washington!

My fields of interest are applied microeconomics and development economics, with a focus on gender, health, and the environment.

My research examines how maternal and child health programs shape fertility and reproductive behavior, and how environmental shocks affect health, violence, and household well-being in low-income settings.

Interests

Applied Microeconomics
Health Economics
Development Economics
Family Economics

Education

PhD in Economics 2026 (Expected)

University of Washington

MA in Economics 2022

University of Washington

BA in Economics 2018

University of Seoul, South Korea

Research

Job Market Paper: Unintended Consequences: Maternal Health Programs and the Continuation of Unintended Pregnancies

I investigate unintended consequences of India’s maternal health program using difference-in-differences and regression discontinuity. I document that the program increased unplanned births among younger women and show that greater contact with health workers contributed to this rise. Behavioral mechanisms work through heightened perceived discordance in fertility preferences and reduced acceptance of abortion.

Presentations: ASSA 2026, Global GLO--JOPE 2025, SEA 2025

Working Paper: Hot Weather, Hot Tempers: the Impact of Heat Waves on Intimate Partner Violence in Peru

Revise & Resubmit, Journal of Population Economics

I study the impact of extreme temperature on intimate partner violence in Peru, using high-frequency weather and helpline call data. I find short-run increases in IPV during heat waves, with stronger effects in urban areas. Evidence suggests that male stress and greater acceptance of violence contribute to these effects.

Presentations: ASSA 2026, SEA 2025, Northwest Development Workshop 2025

Working Paper: Farmers' Responses to Rainfall and Temperature Shock in Indonesia

with Hyelim Son and Xing Xia | Reject & Resubmit, Journal of Development Economics

This paper explores Indonesian farmers' responses to climate variability in temperature and rainfall. We estimate that temperature variability reduces household expenditure and leads to asset depletion. We reveal that low rainfall shifts labor from non-agriculture into farming, while temperature variability increases farm work without reducing non-agricultural activities, suggesting households remain more vulnerable to temperature than rainfall shocks.

Presentations: European Winter Meeting 2025 (scheduled), APPAM 2025

Work in Progress: Violence and Child Marriage in Northern Nigeria

with Isabelle Cohen

We examine how adolescent exposure to armed conflict affects marriage timing in Northern Nigeria, using novel survey data and geocoded conflict events. We find that exposure to violence near typical marriage ages increases early marriage and reduces schooling. We highlight additional impacts on early fertility and polygynous unions, showing how localized violence alters life-cycle decisions.

Work in Progress: Palm Oil and Gender Inquality

with Resem Makan

Teaching Experience

Instructor of Record - University of Washington Bothell

Course: B-BUS 220 Introduction to Microeconomics

Terms: Winter 2025, Spring 2025, Fall 2025

Selected Student Comments : "Definetly ecnonomics was a very challanging course but the instructors enthusiam and way of teaching allowed for it to be easier", "This class was really engaging. Her style of teaching made her students interested in the course content, as well as her encouraging students to provide examples."

Instructor of Record - University of Washington

Course: ECON 201 Introduction to Macroeconomics

Term: Winter 2022

Selected Student Comments : "I felt that the lectures felt more like class discussions which helped me become more engaged. I was not afraid to ask for better examples or clarifications.", "Once I understood the concept better, it would help build my overall real-world knowledge."