Journal Name: American Economic Journal: Economic Policy
Journal Type: Q1
ISSN: 19457731, 1945774X
Country: United States
Subject Area and Category: Economics, Econometrics and Finance Economics, Econometrics and Finance (miscellaneous)
Publisher: American Economic Association
Research Ranking: 8.175
Publication Type: Journals
H-Index: 97
Coverage: 2009-2024
Editors-in-Chief: Matthew D. Shapiro
Research Impact Score: 6.519
Impact Factor: 5.6
SCIMAGO SJR: 7.940
APC Cost: $300
Homepage: https://www.aeaweb.org/journals/pol
Submission Link: https://www.aeaweb.org/journals/pol
Contact Email: aejinfo@aeapubs.org
Address: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Overview
The American Economic Journal: Economic Policy (AEJ: Economic Policy) is a leading peer-reviewed academic journal published by the American Economic Association (AEA). Launched in 2009, the journal focuses on high-quality, policy-relevant research in the field of economics. AEJ: Economic Policy serves as a vital platform for scholars and policymakers to explore the effectiveness, design, and consequences of public policies through rigorous economic analysis.
Dedicated to empirical and theoretical studies, the journal has gained prominence for its commitment to publishing research that directly informs policy decisions and contributes to the understanding of how public interventions influence economic outcomes.
Mission and Purpose
The primary mission of AEJ: Economic Policy is to promote scholarly research that addresses real-world policy issues. The journal seeks to bridge the gap between academic economics and policy implementation by publishing papers that offer valuable insights into fiscal policy, labor markets, healthcare, education, environmental policy, taxation, and more.
Through evidence-based analysis, the journal plays a crucial role in shaping economic policy debates and offering actionable recommendations for governments and institutions across the globe.
Areas of Research and Focus
AEJ: Economic Policy covers a wide range of economic policy topics, including but not limited to:
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Labor Economics and Employment Policy
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Health Economics and Healthcare Reform
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Education Policy and Outcomes
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Social Insurance and Welfare Programs
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Taxation and Public Finance
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Environmental and Energy Policy
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Development Economics and Poverty Alleviation
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Housing Policy and Urban Economics
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Immigration and Demographics
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Behavioral Economics in Public Policy
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Regulatory and Antitrust Policy
The journal emphasizes the importance of both theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence, especially studies using microdata, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), natural experiments, and structural modeling techniques.
Academic Rigor and Peer Review
AEJ: Economic Policy is known for its high editorial standards and rigorous double-blind peer review process. Each submission is carefully evaluated by expert economists to ensure the quality, originality, and policy relevance of the research. The editorial board is composed of distinguished scholars affiliated with top academic institutions, ensuring that each publication maintains the journal’s strong academic integrity.
Audience and Impact
The journal is widely read by academics, researchers, policy analysts, government officials, and international development organizations. Its research is often cited in academic literature, policy white papers, and public reports, making it a valuable resource for evidence-based policy formulation.
With a strong reputation for quality and relevance, AEJ: Economic Policy has become a go-to journal for those interested in the economic effects of government intervention and the design of effective public policies.
Access and Publication
Published quarterly by the American Economic Association, the journal is accessible through academic libraries, institutional subscriptions, and online platforms like JSTOR and the AEA’s official website. Authors interested in submitting can find submission guidelines and editorial policies on the journal’s homepage.
About
The American Economic Journal: Economic Policy (AEJ: Economic Policy) is a prestigious peer-reviewed journal published by the American Economic Association (AEA). Since its first issue in 2009, the journal has gained a strong reputation for publishing high-quality research that addresses important issues in public policy and applied economics. The journal's core mission is to contribute to evidence-based policymaking by showcasing rigorous studies that explore the impact, effectiveness, and design of economic policies across a broad spectrum of topics.
As one of the four American Economic Journals launched to complement the American Economic Review, AEJ: Economic Policy focuses specifically on economic policies and their real-world implications, making it a vital resource for academics, policymakers, and analysts worldwide.
Purpose and Scope
The primary aim of AEJ: Economic Policy is to provide a platform for innovative and policy-relevant economic research. The journal emphasizes empirical work, though it also publishes theoretical studies that have clear policy implications. It welcomes papers that improve understanding of the economic effects of government programs, regulatory changes, and institutional reforms, particularly in the context of improving economic efficiency, equity, and welfare.
The journal serves as a critical bridge between economic theory and practical policy application, helping inform decisions in both developed and developing countries.
Key Areas of Focus
The journal covers a wide range of policy-related topics, including:
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Labor Economics and Employment Policy
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Health Economics and Healthcare Reform
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Education Economics and School Reform
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Tax Policy and Public Finance
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Social Insurance, Pensions, and Welfare Programs
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Environmental and Energy Policy
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Urban and Housing Policy
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International Development and Poverty Alleviation
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Immigration and Demographic Policy
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Behavioral Economics and Policy Design
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Regulation, Antitrust, and Market Structure
The diversity of topics reflects the journal’s comprehensive approach to public policy and its commitment to publishing research with real-world applications and measurable outcomes.
Rigorous Peer Review and Editorial Standards
AEJ: Economic Policy maintains the highest academic standards through a double-blind peer-review process. Each manuscript is reviewed by subject-matter experts to ensure that published work meets criteria of originality, methodological rigor, and policy relevance. The editorial board includes leading economists from top global institutions, bringing diverse perspectives and expertise to the publication process.
Readership and Impact
The journal is widely read by economists, policy researchers, academic institutions, government agencies, NGOs, and think tanks. Its research is frequently cited in scholarly journals, policy briefs, and public debates, making it an influential voice in shaping effective public policy across sectors.
With its strong emphasis on actionable insights, AEJ: Economic Policy serves as a trusted source for understanding how economic policies affect real-world outcomes, particularly in areas such as health, education, labor markets, and fiscal policy.
Scope
The American Economic Journal: Economic Policy (AEJ: Economic Policy) is a premier academic journal that publishes research at the intersection of economics and public policy. Launched in 2009 by the American Economic Association (AEA), the journal is dedicated to promoting rigorous, evidence-based studies that examine the design, implementation, and effects of economic policies. Its comprehensive scope reflects the complexity of modern policy challenges and the growing need for data-driven economic insights that can guide government actions, reforms, and interventions.
With a strong focus on applied economics, the journal provides a global platform for scholars to explore how public policies impact economic outcomes across various sectors and demographic groups.
Aims and Objectives
The primary aim of AEJ: Economic Policy is to support the development of well-informed, effective public policies through the dissemination of high-quality economic research. The journal focuses on empirical work, though it also welcomes theoretical studies that offer direct insights into policy applications. Papers published in the journal are expected to have clear, measurable implications for public decision-making and contribute meaningfully to ongoing debates in economics and social policy.
Main Areas of Research
The scope of AEJ: Economic Policy is broad, covering a wide range of policy-relevant economic topics, including:
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Labor Economics and Employment Policy: Analysis of minimum wage laws, unemployment benefits, labor market regulations, and workforce development.
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Health Economics and Policy: Studies on healthcare systems, insurance design, public health initiatives, and access to medical services.
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Education Economics: Research on school choice, public education funding, student achievement, and the economics of higher education.
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Taxation and Public Finance: Investigations into income tax policy, tax credits, corporate taxation, and fiscal federalism.
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Social Insurance and Welfare Programs: Evaluations of pensions, food assistance, disability benefits, and universal basic income.
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Environmental and Energy Policy: Empirical studies on climate change, carbon pricing, renewable energy incentives, and pollution control.
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Housing and Urban Policy: Research related to housing affordability, rent control, zoning regulations, and urban development.
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Development Economics: Policy analysis focused on poverty alleviation, education access, infrastructure, and economic growth in developing countries.
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Immigration and Demographics: Insights into how immigration policies affect labor markets, public services, and demographic shifts.
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Behavioral Economics and Public Policy: Application of behavioral insights to improve the effectiveness of government programs and regulations.
Policy Relevance and Practical Application
What distinguishes AEJ: Economic Policy is its emphasis on real-world policy implications. The journal prioritizes research that not only advances economic knowledge but also provides actionable insights for governments, NGOs, think tanks, and international organizations. Many of the studies utilize cutting-edge empirical techniques, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), natural experiments, and structural models, ensuring robustness and relevance.
Global Perspective
Although based in the United States, the journal’s scope is global. It welcomes contributions that analyze policy issues in both developed and developing countries, allowing for cross-country comparisons and diverse policy perspectives.