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

Economist John Asker, who is an expert in antitrust and competition economics, is joining Columbia after serving four years at the University of California, Los Angeles.

From 2014 to 2018, Asker served on University of California, Los Angeles’ economics faculty, first as professor of economics and then as the Armen A. Alchian Chair in Economic Theory.

Professor Asker conducts research related to antitrust policy, cartel behavior, vertical restraints, auction design, firm-level productivity, and the effects of industry subsidies.

His new appointment, as Professor of Economics takes effect July 1. “We are thrilled that John has decided to come to Columbia,” said Professor and Chair of the Department, Bernard Salanié. “I have a great appreciation for how John uses tools of economics to understand market power and contribute to policy formulation. I very much look forward to working with him,” he continued.

Asker said his research is aimed at understanding how allocation, production and exchange work in industries characterized by market power, complex vertical structure and an active government presence. “Using a combination of empirical and theoretical tools, I aspire to contribute to our understanding of how these factors shape economic policy at the industry level, at both a normative and positive level. Each of my projects involves some combination of the study of market power, regulation, and vertical market structures,” he explains.  “I look forward to creating a new space for research on consumer, firm and industrial behavior, competition, innovation, government regulation, with natural spillovers across fields and disciplines,” he adds.

Professor Asker served as an expert for the U.S. Federal Communications Commission in the AT&T–DirecTV merger. He has co-authored several amicus briefs presented before the U.S. Supreme Court and federal appellate courts. He has held editorial positions at the American Economic Journal: Microeconomics, the RAND Journal of Economics, and the Journal of Industrial Economics. His research has been published in leading economics journals, including the Journal of Political Economy and the American Economic Review. He has taught graduate- level courses in antitrust policy, industrial organization, and strategy. He also regularly lectures on antitrust topics, including to U.S. federal agencies, as part of the American Bar Association’s continuing legal education programs.

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. A total of 4765 students were enrolled, 742 in the Department’s 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.