91����’s School of Economics (SOE) conducts research on topics important to Maine households, businesses and communities in partnership with the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station (MAFES). MAFES supports SOE research projects in areas such as the prices of organic and conventional products at Maine farmers markets; changes in Maine’s housing market over time; issues related to sustainable energy for Wabanaki tribes and rural, low-income communities in Maine; and the economic impact of Maine’s potato industry. Recent student projects, supported by MAFES, have examined the use of public boating facilities along Maine’s coast and the impacts of artificial intelligence on Maine’s workforce. Our work supported by MAFES is a great example of a land grant university’s three-part mission of teaching, research and community outreach.

SOE is a leader in 91����’s socio-economic research related to the family of chemicals often called PFAS, or “forever chemicals”. These chemicals affect the health of people, animals and our environment. Along with SOE students, an interdisciplinary team at 91����, and partners across Maine, Dr. Caroline Noblet is engaged in several projects related to Maine residents’ knowledge and perceptions about PFAS, the impacts of PFAS on rural community resilience, consumer confidence in our Maine food system and impacts of PFAS on hunting and fishing choices. Professor Noblet’s research on PFAS lies at the intersection of economics and psychology (i.e., behavioral economics) with strong connections to a larger interdisciplinary team, which won the 2024 Research Collaboration Award from 91����’s College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences. Dr. Noblet’s PFAS-related activities have been disseminated to policymakers and scholars through numerous presentations for a variety of audiences (see for example ), publications (see for example ), and it has provided research opportunities to 91���� students.

The agricultural economy is a complex system that provides food and other products from the land to households, a livelihood to producers, and supports the vibrancy of many rural communities. SOE research and outreach address the many opportunities and challenges facing the agricultural economy, such as climate change, food insecurity, technology use and investment, and food distribution. Along with SOE students and other academic colleagues, Dr. Jonathan Malacarne is studying a wide range of topics related to the agricultural economy in Maine and worldwide. Dr. Malacarne’s work is informed by the needs of the agricultural sector, and his students gain valuable experience tackling real world problems. For more information, check out , which contains descriptions of some of his ongoing projects and links to his published research.

The Market Integration Research Lab (MIRL) examines the network of interconnections within markets and other economic phenomena.  Students in MIRL closely work with faculty to explore cutting edge research and use a variety of statistical techniques related to econometric connectedness, an area of expertise for MIRL Director Dr. Thomas Wiesen.  MIRL has recent and ongoing projects related to international equity markets, forecasting financial volatility, cryptocurrencies, the integration of US regions to Canada, and measures of urban influence, with the last project supported by a USDA grant.  This work has implications for measuring economic spillovers, quantifying risks, allocating asset portfolios, monitoring financial crises, and assessing the integration of regional economies.  Recent graduates of MIRL found employment/Ph.D. program placements at the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank, the University of Houston, the University of Connecticut, and EDP Renewables.