Stephen Cotten

Stephen Cotten is a Professor of Economics in the College of Business at the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL), where he has served since 2009. He joined as an Assistant Professor, was promoted to Associate Professor in 2015, and achieved full Professor status in summer 2022. His academic career centers on bridging economic theory with practical policy applications through rigorous research and dedicated teaching.

Dr. Cotten's educational foundation includes:

• Ph.D. in Economics, University of Tennessee, 2009

His research spans Energy policy, Environmental and natural resource policy, Experimental economics, Industrial organization, Law and economics, Public economics, and Corporate governance. He employs experimental methodologies to investigate social preferences, collusion dynamics, public goods provision, and policy impacts, with particular emphasis on how behavioral insights can inform real-world economic interventions in energy, environmental, and financial markets.

Dr. Cotten's publication record reveals a consistent focus on experimental and applied microeconomics. Recent work (2018-2020) examines social preferences in collusion contexts, peer group influences, and population shifts in public goods provision. Earlier research (2013-2016) addresses common resource bargaining, computational finance education, and structured financial products. His scholarship demonstrates interdisciplinary connections between theoretical economics and practical policy challenges.

Dr. Cotten's contributions have been recognized through multiple awards:

• Excellence in Service to Students Award from the National Society of Leadership and Success (2014)
• Best Educational Pedagogy Paper at the Financial Education Association Conference (2012)
• Honorable Mention for Best Paper at the General Business Conference (2010)
• U.S. delegate to the Lindau Meeting of Nobel Laureates in Economic Sciences (2006)

He has contributed to four textbooks and served as a consultant for Space Center Houston, regional hospitals, and local government, demonstrating applied research impact. His teaching portfolio includes Energy Markets, Environmental Economics, Money and Banking, and Financial Literacy courses, reflecting his commitment to translating complex economic concepts into accessible educational experiences with practical relevance.