Michelle ConnollyView profile
Professor
Michelle Connolly is a Professor of the Practice in the Department of Economics at Duke University, where she has held various roles since 1997, including Director of the Duke in New York Program and Chief Economist at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). She specializes in Macroeconomics, International Trade, Telecommunications Policy, and Development Economics. Her research focuses on spectrum policy, broadband competition, and the economic impacts of technological diffusion. Dr. Connolly has authored numerous articles and has been honored with awards such as the Howard D. Johnson Teaching Prize and the Distinguished Service Award from the Public Utility Research Center. She also serves on committees like the Arts & Sciences Curriculum Committee and the Phi Beta Kappa Chapter at Duke. Education: Ph.D., Economics, Yale University, 1996 M.Phil., M.A., Economics, Yale University (1993, 1992) B.A., Economics, Yale University, 1990 (Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa) Research Interests: Dr. Connolly’s work bridges theoretical economics and policy analysis, particularly in telecommunications regulation and trade policy. She examines how market structures and regulatory frameworks influence innovation, competition, and equitable access to technology. Recent studies include evaluating municipal broadband initiatives, spectrum auction design, and the implications of network neutrality. Grants & Awards: Her grants include NSF funding for spectrum-sharing research and Teagle Foundation support for pedagogical innovation. Her awards highlight both academic excellence and teaching excellence, including recognition from Duke students and national organizations. Labs/Teams: She leads the Spectrum Lab in Economics at Duke, focusing on policy-relevant research in telecommunications. She also contributes to initiatives like the Duke Economic Analytics Laboratory (DEAL).








