Stafford Nichols Research Manager
Stafford Nichols is a Research Manager at Beacon Economics, overseeing the firm’s Economic Impact Analysis and Public Policy Analysis practice areas. His research focus spans housing, workforce development, sustainability, economic development, and spatial analytics. He conducts analyses for both public sector and private sector clients. Recent projects include impact analyses of highway construction, hospital operations, minimum wage laws, new housing ordinances, modifications to solar regulations, economic mobility programs, climate change policies, broadband internet expansion, homelessness efforts, and others.
Mr. Nichols’ research often includes monetizing complex socioeconomic issues that can be challenging to quantify and applying econometric analysis to measure critical social outcomes. He distills complex questions into clear answers and offers insightful interpretations of his findings to provide clients with well-defined, actionable strategic recommendations.
An experienced public speaker, Mr. Nichols delivers presentations to small audiences, such as boards of directors, as well as large public groups. Offering more than just statistics, he ensures that his audiences understand the implications of his research, and how key findings will affect them moving forward.
Prior to joining Beacon Economics, Mr. Nichols was an Associate Principal at Gallup, where he spearheaded thought leadership studies for multinational corporations, the United Nations, and the World Bank. He directed research in over 32 countries, from Afghanistan, to Nigeria, to China, to India – where he lived and conducted field research.
Currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Public Policy at the University of Maastricht, Mr. Nichols holds an M.B.A. in International Finance and an M.P.P. in Econometrics from the College of William and Mary. He holds a B.A. in Economics and History from Franklin & Marshal College.
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No Nonsense Economics
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Narratives, Data, and the Duty of Economists
When economists amplify claims that are inconsistent with the evidence, we do not close the gap between perception and reality—we widen it.
March 4, 2026Read More -
Tariffs and Turbulence: Last Week In Review
With debt above $40 trillion and deficits projected to widen, the nation is in an increasingly fragile fiscal position.
February 25, 2026Read More
