Douglas J Skinner

Douglas J Skinner is the Sidney Davidson Distinguished Service Professor of Accounting at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where he has been affiliated since 2005. He previously served as KPMG Professor of Accounting at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business. His roles at Booth include Deputy Dean for Faculty (2015-2024) and Interim Dean (2016-17), with notable contributions to the construction and financing of Booth's Hong Kong campus.

• Education: Bachelor’s in Economics from Macquarie University (first class honors in Accounting/Finance), Master’s/PhD in Applied Economics from University of Rochester.

Skinner's research spans corporate financial reporting, disclosure practices, payout policies, audit market dynamics, and the intersection of technology/media with capital markets. His work on shareholder activism, SEC dissemination processes, and Japanese corporate governance has influenced regulatory and academic discourse.

Recent publications analyze topics like the agency costs of free cash flow (2025), media effects on insider trading news (2016), and globalization of shareholder activism (2022). His studies often integrate empirical methods with policy implications, reflecting his dual focus on academic rigor and practical application.

Skinner teaches Managerial Accounting (EMBA) and Empirical Research Methods (PhD), and has advised PhD students placed at top-tier institutions like Harvard, MIT, and London Business School.