Janet E. Kohlhase

Janet E. Kohlhase is a Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Houston's College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, holding a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. Her distinguished career spans urban, regional, and environmental economics with significant scholarly contributions and leadership roles in professional associations.

Education

• Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania

Research Interests

Professor Kohlhase's research centers on Urban Economics, Regional Science, and Environmental Economics, examining spatial labor markets, urban spatial structure, environmental policy impacts, and technology's role in urban dynamics. Her empirical work analyzes polycentric cities, labor force diversity, public expenditure effects, and virtual-physical space interactions, consistently addressing policy-relevant questions in urban development.

Publication Trends

Her 15 most recent publications (2025-2014) reveal evolving research trajectories: increasing focus on digital economy impacts (internet, virtual space), labor market diversity effects on entrepreneurship, and fiscal policy in urban contexts. Earlier work established foundational analyses of polycentricity, toxic waste impacts, and agglomeration economies, demonstrating methodological rigor across spatial econometrics and regional science applications.

Scientific Awards

• Fellows Award of the Regional Science Association International (2019)
• David E. Boyce Award from the Regional Science Association (2011)

Professional Leadership

As Editor of Annals of Regional Science and Treasurer of the Urban Economics Association, Professor Kohlhase shapes disciplinary discourse through editorial leadership. She has guest-edited special issues on Chinese urbanization and the Western Regional Science Association's 50th anniversary, served on multiple journal editorial boards, delivered the 2020 WRSA Presidential Address, and presented keynotes at international conferences including the 2018 RSAI World Congress in Goa.

Teaching

She teaches undergraduate courses including Environmental Economics (Econ 3363) and Intermediate Microeconomics (Econ 3332), and graduate courses such as Economic Analysis of Urban Areas (Econ 7387/7390) and Microeconomic Theory I (Econ 7341), maintaining active classroom engagement through Fall 2025.