A faculty member from Florida State University associated with the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy has been appointed as a fellow of the Economic Science Association (ESA).
Mark Isaac, the John and Hallie Quinn Eminent Scholar Chair within the Department of Economics, earned this accolade from his ESA colleagues in acknowledgment of his impact on the realm of experimental economics via laboratory and field studies.
“As someone who was involved in establishing the Economic Science Association around 40 years ago, this honor is profoundly significant, particularly as it comes directly from my fellow professionals,” Isaac stated. “It is genuinely humbling to reflect on the careers and achievements of the other ESA Fellows.”
Isaac’s research has propelled economic understanding, especially in domains such as law and economics, industrial organization, provision of public goods, and decision-making amidst risk and uncertainty. His publication “Group Size Effects in Public Goods Provision: The Voluntary Contributions Mechanism,” co-authored with James Walker from Indiana University, was recognized as one of the 20 most impactful papers in the history of experimental economics by the editors of the compilation “The Art of Experimental Economics.”
“Although Dr. Isaac’s influence on the discipline has been tremendous, his contributions at FSU have been equally significant, as the college is now home to one of the most robust and esteemed programs in experimental and behavioral economics nationwide.”
– Dean Tim Chapin, College of Social Sciences and Public Policy
“Even after over 40 years, I remain intrigued by the essential factors in human society regarding our ability to provide public goods,” Isaac mentioned.
The ESA Fellowship serves as a lasting acknowledgment of his commitment and influence on the field. Last year, Isaac also received the inaugural Distinguished Service Award from ESA.
“This designation as an ESA Fellow highlights the caliber and significance of Dr. Isaac’s scholarship, as he truly stands as one of the world’s foremost experimental economists and thought leaders,” remarked Dean Tim Chapin from the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy. “Though Dr. Isaac’s impact on the field has been vast, his influence at FSU has been equally remarkable, contributing to the college being one of the leading centers for experimental and behavioral economics in the country.”
Isaac became part of FSU as the Quinn Eminent Scholar and a Professor of Economics in 2001, later leading the Department of Economics from 2012 to 2018. He is also a crucial faculty participant in FSU’s XS/FS Experimental Social Science Lab, which investigates how individuals and groups make choices to guide policymaking decisions.
Founded in 1986, ESA is the professional body dedicated to economics as an observational science, employing controlled experiments to learn about economic behavior. The application of laboratory methodologies allows researchers to observe and manage variables that would be unobtainable in real-world scenarios, such as buyer preferences and seller costs in the trading of a synthetic good.
To discover more about FSU’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy and the Department of Economics, visit cosspp.fsu.edu.
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