معرفی
Jonathan C Thompson serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at Willamette University's Atkinson Graduate School of Management. His research investigates economic growth and development through the lens of cultural determinants, employing formal theoretical models combined with innovative econometric approaches using exogenous variables like rainfall variation to test causal relationships between trust and economic outcomes.
Education:
- BA in Economics, Willamette University (specializing in economic history applications to modern problems)
- PhD in Economics, University of Oregon (recipient of Kleinsorge Research award)
Research Focus: Professor Thompson's work centers on cultural economics within development frameworks, examining how social norms and historical contexts shape economic trajectories. His methodology emphasizes natural experiments and causal inference in growth econometrics, with applications to policy design and institutional analysis.
Awards:
- Kleinsorge Research award (University of Oregon)
Teaching Philosophy: Courses integrate economics as 'the science of decision making under constraint,' covering public policy mechanisms, market structures, and development economics through real-world case studies. His instruction emphasizes analytical frameworks applicable to institutional and policy challenges.
Professional Context: As a core faculty member in the Economics Department, Professor Thompson contributes to both graduate management education and broader university initiatives at Willamette, maintaining active research while engaging with Salem's academic and civic communities.
