Prior to Austin Peay, Clara was an assistant professor of quantitative analysis at Samford University. She has also been a lecturer of economics at the Catholic University of America and George Mason University.

Her primary areas of research are family economics, law and economics, and public choice. She has published academic papers on many topics, including: mental health and marriage, Renaissance art contracts, the organization of Christian seminaries, and Soviet family policy.

She has published in highly-ranked journals such as the Journal of Law and Economics and Public Choice. Her work has also been featured in popular outlets like Public Discourse and the Faith & Economics podcast.