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Thomas W. Hertel

  • Distinguished Professor, 2003-present; Professor, 1992-2003; Associate Professor, 1988-1992; Assistant Professor, 1983-1988, Agricultural Economics, Purdue University
  • PhD, 1983, Cornell University; MPA, 1978, Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University; BA Economics, 1976, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Founding Director, Global Trade Analysis Project, 1993-present
  • AAEA Foundation Governing Board and AAEA International Committee, 2003-present
  • AAEA awards include Distinguished Policy Contribution, 1999; AAEA Outstanding MS Thesis Advisor, 1994; Quality of Communication Award Contributor, 1990; Outstanding Journal Article, 1989; Outstanding PhD Thesis Advisor, 1989; Outstanding Researcher, Purdue School of Agriculture, 1995
  • Best Journal Article, Australian Agricultural Economics Association, 1991; Policy Article Prize, University of Minnesota, 1989
  • Associate Editor, American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 1988-91, 1994-97; Editorial Advisory Council, Pacific Economic Review, 2000-present; Journal of Economic Integration, 2000-present; Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 1999 – present
  • Fulbright Senior Research Fellow, University of Melbourne, 1990-91

Thomas Hertel's contributions to the quantitative analysis of domestic and international policy issues have been recognized with numerous awards from the AAEA, and decision-makers throughout the world use his work as an input to the formulation of trade policies. Dr. Hertel's research has emphasized the economy-wide analysis of farm and food policies in the context of Applied General Equilibrium (AGE) models. When Hertel started his research program in the 1980's, this type of analysis had not been used in the US agricultural policy debate. He spearheaded AGE efforts in this field, while simultaneously working to enhance the validity of such models through supplementary econometric research. Dr. Hertel is Founding Director of the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) - a network of 3,000 researchers in more than 100 countries who share information and analysis of global economic policies. At the annual GTAP Conference, hundreds of participants from dozens of countries present work and interact with policy makers. In a world characterized by frequent tensions over trade policy, difficulties in communication and misunderstandings, economists are beginning to speak the same language - namely "GTAP". This may well be Dr. Hertel's most lasting contribution to the Agricultural Economics Profession.