Dr. Ondine Berland

Ondine
Berland

I am an applied microeconomist. I study why households eat what they eat, and the implications for carbon emissions and inequality.

Postdoctoral Fellow in Environmental Economics

London School of Economics | Grantham Research Institute

Fields: Public Economics, Food Studies

Latest

Spring 2026

Presenting at Grantham Institute, Strasbourg Uni, Workshop on Environmental and Natural Resources Economics in ENS de Lyon.

Research

Job Market Paper

Households' Food Carbon Footprints

Abstract

Food consumption is a significant contributor to households' carbon footprints. However, consumer heterogeneity in food-related carbon footprints remains underexplored, primarily due to limited data linking real-world consumption choices to environmental impacts. I address this gap by matching detailed purchase data with environmental impact estimates at the transaction level for a representative sample of 7,540 French households between 2017 and 2019. Using this unique dataset, I provide a comprehensive overview of the distribution of food carbon footprints and employ a structural demand model to estimate how price and expenditure changes influence food basket composition and carbon emissions.

Working Papers

Working Paper

How Do Households Adjust Food Purchases to Fuel Price Shocks?

with Fabrice Etilé
July 2022

Abstract

Shocks in energy prices impact households' disposable income and welfare, with consequences for the acceptance of environmental policies. We examine how households adjust food consumption to such shocks by estimating the effects of fuel prices on food purchasing patterns in France. Using homescan data, we find an elasticity of total food expenditure of approximately -0.3, mainly through reductions in the unit value of products. We highlight that households adjust more on unit value for fresh fruits and vegetables, and more on volumes for animal proteins and alcohol. They adjust their purchase patterns by restricting the frequency of shopping trips, visiting hard discount stores, substituting among, and buying in bulk. Low-income households do not adjust significantly to fuel price shocks, likely because they have already largely exploited these adjustment margins. Thus, they are directly affected by any abrupt increase in fuel prices.

Accepted for publication

Unequal Progress and Barriers for Women in Economics

with Oliver Harman, Ninon Moreau-Kastler
May 2025
Accepted for publication in Reviews of Economic Literature

Abstract

This paper reviews the literature on gender inequalities in the academic field of economics, highlighting both the unequal progress women have experienced and the persistent barriers they continue to face. Our analysis of recent literature and available data highlights that the reduction in women's absence in the field has been heterogeneous. While women now constitute 26% of published economists, their presence sharply declines at higher ranks, with only 5% representation among economists in the top percentile of research influence. Notably, recent progress has paradoxically concentrated at this highest level, indicating shifting institutional norms and evolving perceptions about women's contributions. We further explore how understanding women's behaviours and career choices, gender biases in evaluation, and workplace environments contribute to women's underrepresentation in the field. Our discussion extends to the labour market for economists, drawing parallels with broader labour trends, and examining how gender-biased treatment and hiring processes impact women's advancement. Finally, we turn to policy interventions, which are key in promoting gender balance, focusing on networks, mentorship, role models, and representation.

Featured In:

Work in Progress

Junk Food, Leisure, and Income Inequalities

with Eve Colson-Sihra and Emmanuel Paroissien

Food Transitions in India and Associated Environmental Impacts

with Eve Colson-Sihra

The Effects of Social Food Security: A Randomized Experiment among Students

with Bénédicte Apouey, Simon Briole, Damien Mayaux

Teaching

GY426 — Environmental and Resource Economics

London School of Economics • Master's level

2025–present • Lecturer

GY473 — Economic Development and the Environment

London School of Economics • Master's level

2025–present • Seminar

GY222 — Applied Environmental Economics

London School of Economics • Undergraduate level

2025–present • Lecturer

Sustainable Food Systems

University of Paris-Saclay • M.Sc. program

2024 • Guest Lecturer

Introduction to Environmental Economics

Sciences Po • Master's (Fall), led by Stephen Smith (UCL)

2020–2023 • Teaching Assistant

Dynamic Macroeconomics

ENS Paris-Saclay • 3rd year Bachelor (Fall), led by Hubert Kempf

2020–2021 • TA

Growth Models

ENS Paris-Saclay • 3rd year Bachelor (Spring), led by Hubert Kempf

2020–2021 • TA

Education & Affiliations

Education

Ph.D. in Economics

Paris-Saclay University

2024

M.Sc. in Economics

Paris School of Economics

2020

B.Sc. in Economics

École Normale Supérieure

2018

Current Affiliations

London School of Economics

Fellow in Environmental Economics

Grantham Research Institute

Affiliate Researcher

Let's connect about research.

If you'd like to talk about research, feel free to reach out.