Kevin Williams (PhD 2014) on using smartphone data to measure social contact

In this working paper from the Opportunity & Inclusive Growth Institute at the Minneapolis Fed, alumnus Kevin Williams (PhD 2014) and coauthors examine how real-time smartphone data can be used during the COVID-19 pandemic to inform economic and policy decisions. The paper discusses how smartphone data are used to create a location exposure index and device exposure index, published each weekday in a public repository. The authors also provide guidance on potential benefits and relevant caveats when using smartphone data for economic research.