معرفی
Jessica Lin is Professor of Economics and Interim Director for the School of Accounting, Finance, Economics, & Decision Sciences at Western Illinois University, where she has served since Fall 2009. Based in Stipes Hall 431, she directs academic programs while maintaining active research and teaching responsibilities in the Department of Economics and Decision Sciences.
Her educational background includes:
- Ph.D. in Economics, Binghamton University (SUNY), 2010 (Dissertation: Conspicuous Consumption & Inequality: Theory and Evidence)
- M.A. in Economics, Western Illinois University
- B.B. in Economics, Western Illinois University
Dr. Lin specializes in applied microeconomic theory with research emphases in Health Economics, Environmental Economics, and Public Economics. Her work critically examines peer-group influence on economic behavior, including conspicuous consumption patterns, inequality dynamics, and environmental signaling. This interdisciplinary approach bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical evidence to address real-world socioeconomic challenges.
Her publication portfolio reveals evolving research trajectories examining inequality manifestations across diverse contexts—from NFL stadium arrests to Caribbean graduate education—while maintaining core focus on behavioral microeconomics. Recent work increasingly integrates educational technology outcomes, reflecting her leadership in online economics pedagogy.
As former Graduate Coordinator for MS Quantitative Economics, MS Applied Statistics & Decision Analytics, and the Business Analytics Certificate program, Dr. Lin has shaped graduate curricula while advising economics students. She pioneered the department's online learning initiatives and teaches courses spanning principles to advanced mathematical economics, including innovative offerings like Economics of Cannabis.
