Elisabetta De Cao

I obtained my PhD in econometrics and empirical economics from Tor Vergata University. I then worked as postdoc at the University of Groningen, as research fellow at the University of Oxford, and as Assistant Professor in health economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science. I am currently Fellow at LSE and IZA, and Affiliate Member at Dondena (Center for Research and Social Dynamics, Bocconi University).

My research is on family and health economics with a focus on the early life origins of health, violence against children, parenting and fertility behaviour. 

I am the PI of a 2022 PRIN PNRR grant "Genetic and labor market influences on health over the life cycle" (€284,876; December 2023-February 2025).

I am the PI of a ERC Consolidator Grant - HARSH "Uncovering the roots of harsh parenting" (€1,992,657; September 2025-August 2030).