After completing a BSc at Canterbury University and a PhD at Harvard University, she started Wellington-based non-profit economic and public policy research institute, 'Motu Economic and Public Policy Research'.
The New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme work has been a strong focus.
Kerr is also an adjunct professor at Victoria University of Wellington's Climate Change Research Institute.
[1] She has appeared frequently in the mainstream New Zealand media, primarily explaining economic aspects of issues in the news, such as the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme[2][3][4] In February 2016, Kerr was part of a group of three presenters in the keynote opening session of the Aspiring Conversations Festival called "Cool it!
[5] In 2018, Kerr was announced as a member of the Interim Climate Change Committee.