Bio
Dr. Kevin Conner is an Assistant Professor and Analyst for the Office of Labor and Economic Analysis (OLEA). Prior to joining the U.S. Air Force Academy and OLEA in 2026, he earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Utah and was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Utah’s Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health.
An Oklahoma native, Dr. Conner has spent the past decade in the West. He enjoys cycling, bikepacking, and hiking.
Education
Ph.D., Economics, University of Utah (2022)
M.Sc., Economics, University of Utah (2020)
B.S., Economics & Mathematics, University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (2016)
Professional Experience
Assistant Professor & Analyst, Office of Labor and Economic Analysis, U.S. Air Force Academy (2026 – Present)
Postdoctoral Researcher, Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Utah (2023-2026)
Research and Scholarly Interests
Labor Economics, Industrial Relations, Economics of Construction and Transportation, Occupational Health and Safety
Publications
Intrastate Truck Driver Pay and Safety: A Longitudinal Analysis (with Walter Ryley, and Michael Belzer). Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society (2026).
Who Uses Project Labor Agreements? (with Peter Philips). Public Works Management & Policy 30.3 (2025)