Economist McCluskey to advance research on Academy’s Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources

 

Photo of Jill McCluskey
Jill McCluskey, new member of the National Academy of Science’s Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Agricultural economist Jill McCluskey will help advance research frontiers as a newly appointed member of the prestigious National Academy of Science’s Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The Distinguished Professor of Sustainability in the School of Economic Sciences at Washington State University, McCluskey researches the economics of food quality and reputation, sustainable labeling, consumer preferences for new technology, and women in STEM.

As a Board member, she will provide advice on requests and inquiries from Congress, federal and state agencies and other groups, identify frontiers of science and policy in the food, agricultural, and natural resources system, and advocate for the work of the Board.

“Scientific innovations allow us to thrive as a society, in everything from energy resources to clean water and a healthy and abundant food supply,” McCluskey said. “Public investment in scientific research is imperative, and input from a diverse group of experts on the Board can identify frontiers of science and emerging issues that impact these investments.”

She hopes to provide an economics perspective, helping spur ideas about how consumers will respond to new products and discoveries, potentially impacting commercialization of science and technology.

During her term as President of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association in 2016, McCluskey made a presentation at the National Academies Forum for professional society leaders.

“It was there that I realized that I could provide a different perspective,” she said. “Much of my research has focused on how consumers respond to new technology. That focus on the consumer fills an important gap.”

The Board maintains a critical overview of work in its field relating to public policy, technology developments, human resource needs, and economic and social trends. The group also plans new studies and makes an annual appraisal of emerging issues related to food, fiber, fuel and the natural resource base.

Learn more about the Board on Agriculture and Natural Resources of the National Academies at http://dels.nas.edu/banr.