The Duke Economic Analytics Laboratory (DEAL) is a new initiative designed to facilitate linking Duke undergraduates who are seeking research experiences with faculty-led research projects that are at the frontier of economics, broadly defined. A department-wide organized research lab, the DEAL reflects the commitment of the Department of Economics to provide students with meaningful research opportunities that accord with their interests in a supportive and collaborative environment. The goal is to substantially enrich both student experiences and the research environment in the economics department.
A key feature of the DEAL is that research projects are led by faculty with whom students are able to work closely as they build top-notch analytical skills and contribute to science.
Projects might cover a broad range of topics, including education, crime, health care and behavior, public finance, welfare programs, family behavior, labor markets, economic development, the environment, the behavior of firms, international trade, poverty, inequality, the macroeconomy, and finance.
Student researchers in the DEAL are called “Woodman Scholars” in recognition of the generous alumnus, Wayne Woodman, whose support has been instrumental in launching the DEAL. All Duke undergraduates are eligible to become Woodman Scholars.
Our physical lab space, where Woodman Scholars can work on research and collaborate within and across individual DEAL projects, is room 311 in the Social Sciences building.