UW Graduate, Economist to Speak at UW Oct. 18

A pioneer in the field of behavioral economics and a University of Wyoming graduate will give a talk Friday, Oct. 18, at UW.

John List will discuss “What can we learn from Uber? Three large-scale field experiments on tipping, the gender pay gap, and apologies.” His talk will be at 10:30 a.m. in the Wyoming Union Ballroom. A reception will follow. The event is free and open to the public.

List is the Kenneth C. Griffin Distinguished Service Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago. His research focuses on questions in microeconomics, with a particular emphasis on using field experiments to address both positive and normative issues.

For decades, his field experimental research has focused on issues related to the inner-workings of markets; the effects of various incentives schemes on market equilibria and allocations; how behavioral economics can augment the standard economic model; on early childhood education and interventions; and, most recently, on the gender earnings gap in the gig economy, using evidence from rideshare drivers.

His research includes over 200 peer-reviewed journal articles and several published books, including the 2013 international bestseller “The Why Axis: Hidden Motives and the Undiscovered Economics of Everyday Life.”

List was elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2011 and a fellow of the Econometric Society in 2015. He was named a Top 50 Innovator in the NonProfit Times for 2015 and 2016 for his work on charitable giving. Additionally, he served in the White House on the Council of Economic Advisers from 2002-03.

He has received numerous awards, including the Arrow Prize for Senior Economists in 2008; the Yrjo Jahnsson Lecture Prize in 2012; and the Hartsook Growing Philanthropy Award in 2017.

List earned his Ph.D. in economics at UW in 1996. He is a recipient of the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award from the UW Alumni Association. He will be honored for his professional achievements during Homecoming activities next week, including a dinner Friday, Oct. 18, and the Homecoming parade Saturday, Oct. 19.

The UW College of Business sponsors List’s talk.

For more information, call David Aadland, UW Department of Economics chair, at (307) 766-4931 or email aadland@uwyo.edu.