Joel Waldfogel

Joel Waldfogel is a Professor and Frederick R. Kappel Chair in Applied Economics at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. He previously held positions at the Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania) and Yale University, and served as Associate Dean for MBA and MS programs at the Carlson School from 2017–2023. His academic journey began with a BA in Economics from Brandeis University (1984) and a PhD in Economics from Stanford University (1990).

Education:

• PhD in Economics, Stanford University (1990)
• BA in Economics, Brandeis University (1984)

Research Interests span industrial organization, law and economics, digital markets, intellectual property, and media economics. He focuses on platform economics, market efficiency in digital environments, and welfare implications of technological change, particularly in creative industries.

Recent research trends include:

• Platform bias and regulatory frameworks (e.g., Digital Markets Act)
• Welfare impacts of gender-inclusive intellectual property creation
• Legal challenges from AI-generated content and copyright adaptation
• Consumer welfare in digital product markets
• Market structure in media and cultural industries

Scientific Awards:

• Kaminstein Scholar at U.S. Copyright Office (2021–2022)

Publications include over 80 articles in top journals like the American Economic Review and Journal of Political Economy, as well as books such as Digital Renaissance and The Tyranny of the Market. His work addresses platform power, digital regulation, and the economics of cultural goods.