Meet Dan Yu, Assistant Professor, Department of Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology

Minnesota grad brings expertise in agricultural marketing to new role.

Donna McKinnon - 5 October 2023

dan yu poses in front of a green treed landscape

In August, Dan Yu joined the department of Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology as an assistant professor.

A recent graduate of the University of Minnesota, where she earned a PhD in Economics (and several distinguished teaching awards!), Dan's background in industrial organization, environmental economics and applied microeconomics is well suited to her appointment as Co-operative Chair in Agricultural Marketing and Business for the department.

This fall, Dan is teaching a course inTrade and Globalization in Food and Resources/Agricultural Trade (AREC 485/585/685).

Welcome Dan!

Where were you born and raised, and where did you get your degrees?

I was born in China, and I have a BA in Economics and Mathematics, University of Virginia and a PhD in Economics, University of Minnesota.

What is your current research?

I have a few active research projects:

  • I study the value of certifications regarding their informativeness, consumers’ willingness to pay and potential welfare gain.
  • My co-author and I are developing new tools for estimating nonlinear economic models.
  • As a newly appointed Co-operative Chair in Agricultural Marketing and Business in REES, I am actively developing research agendas related to the co-op sector. Specifically, I am interested in market interactions in the co-op sector with consumers, competing businesses and policymakers.

Why did this become your area of expertise/interest?

A combination of personal interest and market demand.

What's the most important thing you would like your students to know?

There are stupid questions, but you can improve by asking them!

Why did you choose to come to the U of A?

1. The weather?
2. Great atmosphere among REES faculty members.

How do you like Edmonton so far?

So far, so good, from my one-month experience here. I enjoy the parks throughout the city, and I am looking forward to exploring more about Edmonton.

What do you do outside of academics for fun?

I enjoy nature, the company of my houseplants, and yarn arts.