Jeffrey D. Michler

Associate Professor

Applied Econometrics Development Economics Natural Resource & Environmental Economics

The primary focus of my research is the application of contract theory and models of industrial organization to problems of agricultural risk management and rural development. My existing research focuses on how agricultural households manage risk to achieve their goals of sustainable development and food security. Complementing and expanding upon this, my recent research investigates the use of contracts in agriculture and estimates the impact of new technology on household welfare and health outcomes. These topics combine to reveal policy relevant insights about agricultural management practices in an uncertain environment. Along with Dr. Josephson, he co-directs the Applied International Development Economics (AIDE) Lab.

For more visit: jeffmichler.com.

Degrees

  • Ph.D., Agricultural Economics, Purdue University, 2015
  • M.A., Economics, New School for Social Research, 2010
  • M.A., Theology, St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, 2007
  • B.A., Economics and History, Bethel College, 2003

Awards & Honors

  • 2022 Agricultural & Applied Economics Association (AAEA), Quality of Research Discovery Award
  • 2021 Agricultural and Applied Economics Association Africa Section Best Publication Award
  • 2019 Outstanding American Journal of Agricultural Economics Article Award
  • 2015 Best Dissertation Award, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University

Classes Taught

  • AREC 360: The Poverty and Development of Nations
  • AREC 513: Consumption Economics and Price Analysis

Recent Publications

Josephson, A. and J.D. Michler. 2023. Research Ethics in Applied Economics: A Practical Guide. New York: Routledge.

Michler, J.D., A. Josephson, T. Kilic, and S. Murray. 2022. Privacy Protection, Measurement Error, and the Integration of Remote Sensing and Socioeconomic Survey Data. Journal of Development Economics 158: 102927.

Rudin-Rush, L., J.D. Michler, A. Josephson, and J.R. Bloem. 2022. Food Insecurity During the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Four African Countries. Food Policy 111: 102306.

Michler, J.D., F. Viens, and G. Shively. 2022. Risk, Crop Yields, and  Weather Index Insurance in Village India. Journal of the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association 1 (1): 61-81.

Josephson, A., T. Kilic, and J.D. Michler. 2021. Socioeconomic Impacts of COVID-19 in Low-Income Countries. Nature Human Behaviour 5: 557-65.

Arouna, A., J.D. Michler, and J.C. Lokossou. 2021. Contract Farming and Rural Transformation: Evidence from a Field Experiment in Benin. Journal of Development Economics 151: 102626.

Arouna, A., J.D. Michler, W.G. Yergo, and K. Saito. 2021. One Size Fits All? Experimental Evidence on the Digital Delivery of Personalized Extension Advice in Nigeria. American Journal of Agricultural Economics 103 (2): 596-619.

Michler, J.D. and S.Y. Wu. 2020. Governance and Contract Choice: Theory and Evidence from Groundwater Irrigation Markets. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization 180: 129-47.

Michler, J.D. and S.Y. Wu. 2020. Relational Contracts in Agriculture: Theory and Evidence. Annual Review of Resource Economics 12: 111-27.

Michler, J.D. 2020. Agriculture in the Process of Development: A Micro-Perspective. World Development 129: 104888.