Joe was originally from the United States. After earning an A.B. in Physics from Princeton University, he completed a Diploma in Mathematical Statistics at Cambridge and then a PhD in Applied Mathematics at Harvard. His first academic position was at the University of Washington in Seattle where he was an Assistant Professor of Economics and a member of the Institute for Environmental Studies. After a faculty position at the University of Michigan, he took up a post as Senior Lecturer in Economics at University College, London. He joined the University of Aberdeen as a Professor in the Economics Department in the Business School in 2005.
Joe’s research interests were many, producing research outputs of the highest quality. He was a highly sought after co-author who collaborated with world leading economists on topics that spanned industrial organisation, bargaining, game theory and regulation. He had extensive expertise in environmental and resource economics, particularly in the design of auctions and applications to natural resources. Drawing on this expertise, during his time at UCL he was part of the team who helped design the successful 3G auctions for the UK government. When he joined Aberdeen, he was one of the driving forces behind the development of the School’s Experimental Economics Laboratory, the first dedicated experimental economics laboratory in Scotland, which he directed ever since. Latterly, he developed research interests in the cybersecurity with colleagues in finance and management. In his dedication to teaching and to his students, his drive helped fuel the development of the School’s postgraduate programmes in energy.
Above all though, Joe was an academic in the true sense of the word. As such he was fiercely passionate about economics and its usefulness. He brought this passion to his teaching, his research and all his interactions. A conversation with Joe was always a sure source of inspiration and learning for his students and colleagues alike.
He will be sorely missed by his students, colleagues and the economics discipline.
Our sincere condolences are extended to his family and all who knew Joe.
Professor Martin Meyer
Head of Business School
Dr Alexandros Zangelidis
Head of Economics