FARE Seminars

Click the following link to view the Department of Economics and Finance Seminars.

FARE Speaker Seminars
Seminar Speakers Title
Prof. Jeffrey Racine, Dept. of Economics, McMaster University, is the speaker. Abstract Model averaging has a rich history dating from its use for combining forecasts from time-series models (Bates & Granger 1969) and presents a compelling alternative to model selection methods.  We propose a frequentist model average procedure defined over categorical regression splines (Ma, Racine & Yang 2015) that allows for non-nested and heteroskedastic candidate models.  Theoretical underpinnings are provided, finite-sample performance is evaluated, and an empirical illustration reveals that the method is capable of outperforming a range of popular model selection criteria in applied settings.  An R package is available for practitioners (Racine 2017). Optimal Model Averaging of Mixed-Data Kernel-Weighted Spline Regressions.
Alison Grant will be visiting the department.  She is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Purdue University and is working with Jayson Lusk (Purdue) and Vincenzina Caputo (Michigan State).  Distributional Income Level Effects of a Meat Tax: Results From a Basket-Based Choice Experiment.
Everyone welcome to the FARE Seminar by Dr. Ford Ramsey, Virginia Tech, on Bayesian Threshold Models for von Liebig Production Functions, Friday, August 23, 1:30 p.m. in Room 107 MCLN. FARE Seminar by Dr. Ford Ramsey, Virginia Tech, on Bayesian Threshold Models for von Liebig Production Functions,
Pierre Desrochers, Associate Professor at the University of Toronto Mississauga's Department of Geography, will present "How Markets Transmit Knowledge, The Case of Supermarkets".  How Markets Transmit Knowledge, The Case of Supermarkets
On Friday, June 15th, 2:30-4:00 pm, Room 101 MCLN .....  Dr. Henry An, University of Alberta, will present "Hypothetical Bias, Strategic Stated Preferences and the Demand for Gene-edited Canola"  Abstract Gene-editing technologies allow scientists to alter DNA more effectively with potentially large benefits to the agri-food sector. However, these benefits are only realized if consumers buy the resulting products. In addition, a better understanding of the market demand for these gene-edited products is vital to providing the correct market signals to innovators. Stated preference methods are widely used to elicit consumer preferences, but these approaches are plagued by problems such as hypothetical bias and strategic behaviour. The two main objectives of this study are: (1) to gauge the potential market demand for foods produced using novel gene-editing technologies; and (2) to design a choice experiment to measure willingness-to-pay for gene-edited canola oil using an approach that accounts for strategic behaviour. This project has two main contributions: On the theoretical side, this study provides insight into dealing with consumer strategic behaviour in private good stated preference surveys. On the empirical side, this study provides insight into the consumer response toward a novel food produced using a technology that some scientists believe will revolutionize the agri-food sector. Hypothetical Bias, Strategic Stated Preferences and the Demand for Gene-edited Canola
On Thursday, May 31st, 2:30-4:00 pm, Room 101 MCLN. Dr. Chris O'Donnell, Professor of Econometrics at the University of Queensland will  present "Practical Considerations in the Analysis of Managerial Performance". This invitation is open to all. Abstract: This paper considers some of the steps involved in conducting a policy-oriented analysis of managerial performance.  It explains that, for best results, these steps should be completed in a prescribed order or sequence.  The paper also considers government policies that can be used to target the main drivers of performance.  Here, the term `government' refers to a group of people with the authority to control any variables that are not controlled by firm managers.  To illustrate, the paper uses econometric methods to analyse the performance of a group of rice farmers.  Here, the term `econometric’ refers to a combination of economic theory, measurement theory and statistical methods. Dr. Chris O'Donnell, Professor of Econometrics at the University of Queensland will present "Practical Considerations in the Analysis of Managerial Performance"
Professor Viktoriya Galushko, Department of Economics, University of Regina The Importance of Location Determinants in Food Manufacturing Investment in Canada
DANNY LEUNG, Director, Economic Analysis Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa Accessing Business Microdata For Analysis At Statistics Canada
Dr. Timothy Beatty, Dept. of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California, Davis Stewart Lane Commemorative Lecture --- "Feeding the World Through 2050"
Dr. Richard Barichello, Food and Resource Economics Group, University of British Columbia The Inaugural George Morris AgriFood Policy Lecture --- "The TPP: Implications for Canada's Agriculture"
Professor Marc Bellemare, Dept. of Applied Economics, University of Minnesota Departmental Seminar ... 'Was Sandmo Right? Experimental Evidence on Producer Attitudes to Price Uncertainty'
Dr. Wuyang Hu, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, University of Kentucky Has the Time Arrived for Online Consumer Surveys: A Comparison of an Online Survey to a Traditional Mailed Survey
Professor Roy Black, Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, Michigan State University Departmental Seminar ... 'Challenges and Opportunities for Investigating the Economics of Climate Change for Great Lakes Perennial Fruit Crops'
Prof. Sven Anders, Dept. of Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology, University of Alberta Departmental Seminar ... 'Live and Let Die - Exporter Experience and Sequential Exporting in the International Coffee Market'
Dr. Scott Rozelle, Helen F. Farnsworth Senior Fellow and the co-director of the Rural Education Action Program in the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University Departmental Seminar ... 'Is There a Second Food Security Challenge for Middle Income Countries? Micronutrient Deficiencies, Health and Nutrition Problems and Faltering Growth'
Peter Slade, Ph.D. Candidate, Dept. of FARE A Structural Model of Hiring, Promotion, and Job Exit With Application to Gender and Academic Hiring
Dr. Keith Coble, Giles Distinguished Professor, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, Mississippi State University The Effect of the Agricultural Act of 2014 on Optimal Choice of Farm-level Insurance Coverage Levels
Dr. David Just, Professor and Co-Director, Cornell Center for Behavioral Economics in Child Nutrition Programs, Cornell University Feeding Kids or Feeding The Garbage: Fruits and Vegetables in the School Lunch Program
Arden Esqueda, Craig Galbraith and Walter Kung Integrating Research: Farm Level Models for Policy Analysis and Development at AAFC
Prof. Steven Y. Wu Market Competition and Contracting Outcomes: Theory and Experimental Evidence