Merlin Penny

Merlin Penny is a team lead for data science and engineering at Phiture. They have also worked as a visiting researcher at National Taiwan University from April 2018 to December 2018, a research associate at Freie Universität Berlin from April 2015 to April 2018, a student assistant at VKU - German Association of Public Utilities from February 2013 to December 2014, and an innovation management BRIEF at Deutsche Post from April 2012 to September 2012.

They have focused on empirical economic research with a focus on causal inference, regression analysis, difference-in-difference estimation, instrumental variable analysis, LASSO, randomized controlled trials, and field experiments (Python, R, STATA). Some of their research topics include documenting the lifetime perspective of education and earnings, the effect of abolishing grades in primary school reports on educational opportunity, whether the effects of school starting age continue into adulthood, and evidence of ethnic discrimination in the labor market for apprenticeships.

Merlin Penny's educational career began with him earning their Abitur from Kolleg St. Sebastian in Stegen. Merlin then went on to earn their Bachelor of Science in Economics from The University of Bonn. After that, they earned their Master of Science in Economics from Freie Universität Berlin. Finally, they earned their Doctor rerum politicarum (Ph.D.) in Economics from Freie Universität Berlin as well.

Merlin Penny reports to Andy Carvell, Co-Founder & Partner. Merlin Penny works with Stuart Miller - Team Lead - Design, Thomas Gheysen - Senior Creative Project Manager, and Antonio Ostrun - Head of Finance.