Matt Darling is a Senior Research Associate at MEF, working on projects related to unemployment insurance modernization, workforce development and human-centered design.
Prior to joining MEF, Darling worked as the Senior Employment Analyst at the Niskanen Center, a Washington DC think tank, where he primarily focused on Unemployment Insurance reform and modernization. Previously, Darling was a Vice President at ideas42, a non-profit organization founded in 2010 to apply behavioral economics to programs and policies. At ideas42 he managed projects related to economic justice, climate change, and domestic healthcare, and served as the strategic lead on labor and workforce development. He led several federal subcontracts, including three projects with the Department of Labor. His work has been featured in publications such as the Washington Post, Vox, and The Atlantic.
Darling holds a Master’s Degree in Economics from Tufts University and a BA in Economics and Cognitive Science from Hampshire College. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, reading, and ultimate frisbee.