Economics for the real world

Deep historical roots.

The Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison was the first such specialized department in the world. Growing from its original focus on issues of land, forests and farm management, the department is continually evolving to address the needs of students, the state of Wisconsin, the nation, and the world.

Ready for the future.

With research, teaching, and outreach focused on environmental and resource economics, agricultural economics, international development, and community economic development, our faculty’s work addresses some of the world’s most pressing current problems. As one of the top departments in the country, the future of AAE is brighter than ever.

Greetings from Guanming Shi, Chair and Professor, Renk Agribusiness Institute

In July, Guanming Shi became the first woman chair of AAE. Shi joined the department in 2005. Her primary research focuses on the economics of industrial organization in the U.S and China.

Guanming Shi standing at a podium in front of a banner saying Agricultural & Applied Economics

AAE faculty Thomas Rutherford receives honorary doctorate

University of Basel, Faculty of Business and Economics, awards honorary doctorate to AAE faculty Thomas Rutherford

Thomas Rutherford standing with officials receiving honorary degree

Job Market Candidates 2022-2023

Hire a UW-Madison Ph.D.! We are proud to provide interested institutions with a preview of our Ph.D. candidates who are available for employment in 2022-2023.

Vikas Gawai, PhD candidate, wins CFS RDRC Research Award

Vikas Gawai, PhD candidate wins Center for Financial Security’s Retirement and Disability Research Center research award.

Alumnus Jennifer Raynor, PhD ’17, returns to UW to as faculty member

This August, Jennifer Raynor, PhD ’17, returned to UW-Madison, to become an assistant professor in the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology.

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