A new study by faculty from Duke’s Department of Economics in the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences reveals that American consumers ultimately paid more than the tariff cost on European wines during a 2019–21 trade dispute. The research highlights how tariffs ripple through complex supply chains and can raise prices at the checkout counter for a wide variety of products above and beyond the initial levy, insights that are of particular interest given the increased use of tariffs by the U.S. government during 2025… read more about Study Reveals U.S. Consumers Paid More Than the Tariff Cost on European Wines »
If you think economics is just about supply and demand, Christopher Walker, new Assistant Professor of Economics, would like you to flip a coin and make a random guess about whether it will be heads or tails. Then, flip it again, but this time, update your guess based upon the 50-50 odds that it will land a certain way.That’s incorporating Bayesian thinking, and Walker’s research on using new information to guide our predictions of future outcomes is changing the way economists ask their biggest questions about competition… read more about Shaking Up Market Thinking »
A new series explores how Duke faculty are crossing disciplinary boundaries to address global challenges — from climate justice to space debris. read more about Intersections at Duke: Bridging Disciplines, Solving Problems »
Rebecca Stafford is an experienced corporate finance executive and early-stage investor focused on climate tech and sustainability. She is the founder and managing partner at Hestia Venture Partners, which supports the low-carbon transition by investing in companies developing innovative solutions and in real estate assets positioned for targeted retrofit and renovation. Previously, Rebecca held senior leadership roles in real estate investment and institutional asset management, including as managing director and CFO/COO… read more about Duke Econ Alumna Rebecca Stafford Is Bridging Finance, Economics and Sustainability »
The Duke Department of Economics will host the REStud (the Review of Economic Studies) North American Tour on October 22. This is the second time the department has been selected by the REStud board to host this event, after a successful 2022 version. The REStud North American Tour recognizes the most promising job market candidates in Economics and Finance from European universities, and showcases their research to audiences in North America. The selected job market candidates for this year are Juan Antolin-Diaz… read more about Duke Economics Hosts REStud North American Tour »
When leaders set tax policy or adjust interest rates, the effects don’t have the same impact on every household. Wendy Morrison, new Assistant Professor of Economics, studies how differences in saving habits and job skills shape the broader influence of monetary and fiscal policy on the economy. Morrison examines how policies, such as taxes or changes to interest rates, impact people across different income groups, not just the “average household.” This is called heterogeneous agent macroeconomics, and it takes into… read more about Exploring How Policies Shape Markets, Communities and Everyday Life »
Early career setbacks don’t affect every worker the same way. For some, opportunities open back up, but for others, disadvantages compound and follow them for years. Yingni Guo, new Associate Professor of Economics, uses economic theory to uncover how hiring bias and market dynamics shape those diverging paths, and what that means for inequality.Guo looks at how economic theory can explain, and even improve, the way jobs, wages and investments take shape, and how they interact with each other. Her research sits… read more about Yingni Guo Shows How Early Biased Hiring Decisions Affect Lifelong Outcomes »
The Federal Reserve is already staring down the difficult task of determining interest-rate policy in the midst of a sluggish labor market and high inflation. The government shutdown now in its second day could make the central bank’s job even harder by delaying the release of important economic data, like this month’s job report.Fed officials have navigated shutdowns before, but current economic conditions, including rising inflation and a softening job market, make this one especially challenging.Ellen Meade, a former Fed… read more about Ellen Meade Says, “The Fed Might Want to Hold Firm” »
Automotive executives are bracing for a freefall in U.S. electric-vehicle sales following the disappearance of a critical $7,500 tax break for buyers. "It's a game-changer," Ford CEO Jim Farley said during a Detroit event on Tuesday, just hours before the federal subsidy expired. Electric-vehicle registrations could fall 27% without the tax credit, according to a joint study in November 2024 from professors at the University of California, Berkeley, Duke University and Stanford University. read more about End of EV Tax Subsidy Sparks Worries of Collapse in US Electric Car Sales, According to Duke Research »
Before the Fed’s decision was announced Wednesday, the White House was already circulating materials touting the drop in mortgage rates in anticipation of a rate cut.Many economists and former Fed officials agree with the Federal Reserve’s decision to cut rates. Ellen Meade, a research professor at Duke University who spent 25 years at the Federal Reserve board, agreed when NOTUS asked if this is a decision the Fed would have made without pressure from Trump. read more about Duke Economist Discusses the Fed Voting to Cut Interest Rates »
The government's negotiations over TikTok and the Federal Reserve's meeting this week are major business stories with political implications for President Trump - and Jon Hilsenrath is here to discuss both. He's a former economics correspondent for the Wall Street Journal and now a visiting scholar at Duke University. Jon, so framework for a deal is not a deal. So what will you be looking for to see if this one actually becomes a deal? read more about Jon Hilsenrath Discusses TikTok Deal and the Federal Reserve's Upcoming Meeting »
Conducted by Jon Hilsenrath, a former Wall Street Journal economics writer and Visiting Scholar at Duke University, in partnership with Duke’s Department of Economics, the survey gathers views from former Federal Reserve officials and staff about the economic and outlook for the U.S. central bank. With the strong likelihood of persistent inflation and elevated unemployment in the years ahead, former Federal Reserve officials and staff argue that the central bank should proceed with gradual interest rate… read more about New Survey of Former Federal Reserve Insiders Point to Risks to Independence and Policy Outlook »
The Trinity College of Arts & Sciences has launched the SPACE Initiative at Duke (Science & Policy to Advance Cosmic Exploration), a universitywide endeavor dedicated to advancing our understanding of the cosmos through interdisciplinary collaboration. All are invited to its celebratory kick-off event to be held on Sept. 8 at 4 p.m., at Penn Pavilion. The event will combine a poster presentation, a reception and a keynote talk by Duke alumna, astronaut and former Lead Space Operations Engineer at SpaceX… read more about Trinity College of Arts & Sciences Launches SPACE Initiative »
Conducted by Jon Hilsenrath, a former Wall Street Journal economics writer and Visiting Scholar at Duke University, in partnership with Duke’s Department of Economics, the survey gathers views from former Federal Reserve officials and staff about the economic and outlook for the U.S. central bank. Former Federal Reserve officials and staff anticipate higher unemployment and higher inflation in the months ahead, which could complicate decision-making at the U.S. central bank about interest rates, according to… read more about New Survey of Former Federal Reserve Insiders Points to Restrained Interest Rate Outlook »
Eight faculty in Duke University’s Trinity College of Arts & Sciences have been honored with named professorships, effective July 1.These endowed positions recognize leadership and commitment to excellence in scholarship and research. Their recipients are outstanding teachers, mentors and researchers whose contributions are invaluable to the College of Arts & Sciences, as well as their students and colleagues.“Trinity is defined by the strength of its faculty, and we are extraordinarily fortunate to count these… read more about Eight Trinity College of Arts & Sciences Faculty Honored With Named Professorships »
Senior Lewis Zhu has been awarded the Winfred Quinton Holton Prize for 2025. Zhu is majoring in Economics and Mathematics and minoring in Music.His paper “The Changing Impact of School Suspensions on Student Outcomes: Evidence from North Carolina Public Schools,” earned him the top honors in the highest award category.The Holton Prize was created in 1919 through an endowed gift from Holland and Lela Young Holton, in memory of their son. It recognizes investigative research, curriculum development work and innovative… read more about Economics Senior Awarded Winfred Quinton Holton Prize »
The following is a partial list of national, university, school and departmental awards presented to the members of the Class of 2025. In some awards where there are multiple winners, only members of the Class of 2025 are included. read more about Department Honors and Laurels for the Class of 2025 »
Undergraduate research is one of the cornerstones of a Duke education. More than half of the undergraduates leave Duke after doing an honors project, independent study or other faculty-mentored research.“At Duke, undergraduate research is more than an opportunity — it’s part of our culture,” said Deb Reisinger, dean of undergraduate education. “From their very first year on campus, students are encouraged to explore big questions, test ideas, and engage directly with faculty mentors across every discipline. Whether in an… read more about Class of 2025 Honors: Exploring the Big Questions »
Conducted by Jon Hilsenrath, a former Wall Street Journal economics writer and Visiting Scholar at Duke University, in partnership with Duke’s Department of Economics, the survey gathers views from former Federal Reserve officials and staff about the economic and outlook for the U.S. central bank. A new survey of former Federal Reserve officials and staff members has found support for holding rates steady at the central bank’s May policy meeting, despite calls by President Donald Trump for swift rate… read more about Stay the Course: New Survey Finds Former Federal Reserve Insiders Urging Policy Stability Concerns About the Economy »
As a high school student in South Carolina, Michelle Schultze had certain standards when exploring colleges: a strong economics department, an established Russian language program and the chance to study political science with a public policy angle. She found her trifecta — as well as a pathway to her future — at Duke. Though she took Spanish throughout high school, Schultze began teaching herself Russian, and her mother’s native language, Greek, during her junior year while remote learning during the pandemic. “I had… read more about The Currency of Hope »
Duke Economics students Lewis Zhu, Ian C. Bailey, Nick Sortisio and Nick Papavassiliou won first place at the Econometrics Game in Chicago, which took place on April 4 to 6, 2025. The Econometrics Game is a weekend-long competition where undergraduate teams of 1 to 4 students come from over 30 prestigious universities tackle real-world economic questions using data. The cases address urgent global issues, giving students the opportunity to apply their knowledge for real-world impact. The 2025 Econometrics… read more about Duke Econ Students Take First at Econometrics Game »
Faith Chong is a Trinity senior from Singapore majoring in Economics and Philosophy. What advice would you give to a first-year student just starting at Duke?The biggest piece of advice I would give to a first-year is to jump at every opportunity. Duke is limitless, and you can really do virtually anything here. It was the most random things at Duke that turned out to be the most significant. For example, I signed up for a coffee chat just because I wanted to learn more, which sparked a domino effect… read more about A Place in this World: Trinity Senior Finds Her Home at Duke »
The Duke Financial Economics Center (DFE) has announced the recipients of its 2024-2025 Leadership Award: seniors Caelyn DeSouza, Fernando Haddad, and Claire Rubenstein, who will all graduate in May. Since 2011, the award has been bestowed annually to seniors who have made outstanding contributions to the Duke undergraduate finance community. DeSouza, Haddad, and Rubenstein were selected for their wide-ranging involvement in finance and business activities and the wholeheartedness with which they approached them.“… read more about Three Seniors Honored with Duke Financial Economics Center’s Leadership Award »
Each year, Duke University awards Benenson Awards in the Arts, which provide funding for arts-centered projects proposed by undergraduates, including graduating seniors. This year, the Student Arts Award Committee awarded prizes to fifteen students for creative projects spanning film, theater, creative writing, music, dance, and visual art. read more about Announcing the 2025 Benenson Award Winners »