For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Sophia N. Johnson, sj2482@columbia.edu, 212-854-1566

The Department of Economics announced that David E. Weinstein had been appointed Executive Director of the Program for Economic Research (PER), succeeding Yeon-Koo Che, who served in the role for the past three years. A prominent scholar on international economics, Weinstein is the Carl S. Shoup Professor of the Japanese Economy and serves as Director of the Center on Japanese Economy and Business.

“I am delighted to welcome David Weinstein’s return to the rank of Executive Director of PER and Co-Vice Chair of the Department,” said Bernard Salanié, Professor and Chair. “PER plays a vital role in advancing the work we do. Under David’s leadership we will continue to expand our outreach activities and support frontier research at Columbia.”

Professor Weinstein is also Research Director of the Japan Project at the National Bureau of Economic Research and a Member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He previously served as Senior Economist and a consultant at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. He was also Chair of the Department of Economics, 2012-2015, and Executive Director of PER, 2009-2012.

Professor Weinstein has held professorships at the University of Michigan and Harvard University. He served on the Council of Economic Advisors from 1989 to 1990. He is the recipient of many grants and awards including five National Science Foundation grants, an Institute for New Economic Thinking grant, and a Google Research Award.

About Columbia | Economics

The Department of Economics offers a general economics major, in addition to five interdisciplinary majors structured to suit the interests and professional goals of a heterogeneous student body. All of the undergraduate programs have different specific requirements but share the common structure of core theoretical courses that provide the foundation for higher-level elective courses culminating in a senior seminar. Graduate students receive training within an outstanding research environment, supported by members of faculty who are leading research in their fields.

In 2017, the Department offered 42 undergraduate courses. More than 4,000 students were enrolled, and more than 700 in our majors. The M.A. program provides a technical and rigorous approach to the study of

economics. In addition, the doctoral program receives approximately 1,000 applications each year for an incoming class of roughly 25 students. The Department has played a prominent role in the development of economic thought. It will continue to through its faculty and students, and contribute to a better understanding of economic activities and the elaboration of policy.