James K. Hammitt

James K. Hammitt is a Professor of Economics and Decision Sciences at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, affiliated with the Center for Risk Analysis, Center for Health Decision Science, and Health Policy and Management Department. He is also a Senior Common Room member at Winthrop House (Faculty of Arts & Sciences, Harvard University).

• Education: AB in Applied Mathematics (magna cum laude, Harvard College, 1978), ScM in Applied Mathematics (Harvard University, 1978), MPP in Public Policy (Kennedy School of Government, 1981), PhD in Public Policy (Harvard University, 1988)

His research focuses on quantitative methods in health and environmental policy, including benefit-cost analysis, decision analysis, and risk analysis. Key areas include managing long-term environmental uncertainties (climate change, ozone depletion), ancillary benefits/risk trade-offs, and social preference characterization using revealed/stated-preference and health-utility methods. He has contributed to 15+ recent publications spanning mortality risk valuation, health impact modeling, and policy evaluation in contexts ranging from COVID-19 to electric vehicles.

• Awards:
  • Distinguished Achievement Award, Society for Risk Analysis (2015)
  • Outstanding Achievement Award, Society for Benefit-Cost Analysis (2021)

His work addresses complex policy challenges through interdisciplinary approaches, integrating economics, public health, and environmental science. While student advising isn't explicitly mentioned, his leadership in National Academies of Sciences panels and advisory committees to EPA/government agencies underscores his policy influence. No email addresses are publicly available.