Bruce Weber

Bruce Weber is a Professor of Applied Economics and Extension Economist at Oregon State University (OSU), serving as Director of the OSU Rural Studies Program. Previously, he co-directed the RUPRI Rural Poverty Research Center. His research focuses on poverty, inequality, and upward mobility in rural/urban contexts, with an emphasis on rural-urban interdependence and social safety net policies.

Dr. Weber’s academic career includes teaching courses such as AEC/RS 421/521 (Rural Poverty and the U.S. Social Safety Net) and RS 512/513 (Rural Studies fundamentals). He has held significant professional accolades, including Fellow status in the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association and Distinguished Scholar recognition from the Western Agricultural Economics Association.

His research interests span federal forest policy impacts, regional economic vulnerability, and the socioeconomic dynamics of rural communities. Key themes include conservation policy effects, economic resilience post-recession, and spatial disparities in wealth creation. He has published extensively on topics like the Northwest Forest Plan’s regional economic implications and the Oregon Earned Income Credit’s child poverty reduction effects.

Dr. Weber’s work bridges academia and public policy, with recent studies analyzing tsunamic regional vulnerability models and SNAP’s urban income redistributive effects. His awards reflect recognition of his outreach and engagement contributions to Oregon’s communities.