Econometrics first intrigued Elena Manresa when she realized data could reveal not only what might happen, but what actually occurred. The ability to measure the impact of social policies, quantify inequality, and illuminate how people and firms make decisions became a driving force in her work. This sentiment captures the essence of her approach to economic research.
Manresa is the recipient of the XXI Fundació Banc Sabadell Prize for economic research, recognized for pioneering contributions in microeconometrics and, in particular, the application of panel data analysis and studies of social interaction. Her mission remains clear: to develop statistical methods that address real economic problems with rigorous empirical grounding.
The prize jury, chaired by Teresa Garcia-Milà, underscored the originality of Manresa’s work and its influence on how applied economists analyze vast, complex datasets. Noting the potential of linked employee and company records as well as detailed consumer and product data, the jury highlighted her role in transforming methodology for modern databases.
Born in 1982 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the United States, Manresa has roots that tie together North America and Europe. Her family returned to Barcelona when she was very young, leading to a life that scholars describe as Catalan, Alicante, and Midwestern in spirit. This diverse background informs a nuanced perspective on economic issues across regions.
After exploring disciplines from music to literature and biology, she gravitated toward numbers. She pursued Mathematics at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), a path she later described as versatile, opening doors to many future avenues. From mathematics she learned formalism: translating problems into precise statements and solving them with rigor.
As the degree progressed, she sought a more practical dimension. She recalls wanting to tackle less abstract questions, which led to a master’s in Economics and Finance at the Center for Monetary and Financial Studies (CEMFI) in Madrid, widely regarded as a premier institution for this field. Her philosophy there was simple: she liked understanding why things are done, not just how to do them, and she completed the master’s with minimal direct contact with economics at the outset.
Econometrics entered her life during this course, and she remains deeply committed to the field. She often likens econometricians to statisticians for economists, a comparison that underscores the crucial role of statistical methods in unveiling economic insights.
Her argument rests on the idea that economic data are generated by intelligent individuals who optimize and select the best options. Observables such as education, gender, and experience help explain wage differences, yet substantial disparities persist even after accounting for these factors. These residual variations are thought to reflect unobservable heterogeneity in decision making by economic agents. Without acknowledging these hidden drivers, policy impact assessments can mislead, a point Manresa emphasizes in her work on labor economics and wage inequality.
Manresa believes the level of econometrics in Spain is high and that Spanish economists, including econometricians, contribute meaningfully to the field. The strength of the local ecosystem is part of a global narrative she shares with peers and students alike.
Her accomplishments extend beyond national borders. She has held visiting professorships at prestigious institutions such as the University of Chicago, Yale University, and Stanford University, among others. Her research has appeared in top economics journals, including Econometrica and the Journal of Econometrics, and she has presented at renowned universities and international conferences around the world.
Manresa also serves as associate editor of Econometrica and the Journal of Business & Economic Statistics. She was named a Sloan Research Fellow by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation for the years 2021 through 2023, a distinction that marks her as a leading young economist contributing to North American research institutions. (attribution: fund sources and institutional recognitions)