Economics -- Study and teaching

Abstract In this interview Richard Adelstein reflects on his scholarly journey to Wesleyan; he describes struggles through MIT and his involvement with the newly formed Upward Bound science and math program. He worked as a teacher in prisons, earned his PhD in Economics and Law from Penn, and then applied to an associate professor position in the Wesleyan Economics Department, and has also engaged in volunteer legal work as a commitment lawyer. Adelstein discusses his appreciation for Wesleyan’s...

Scope and Contents In this interview, Gary Yohe narrates how he ended up working in the field of economics at Wesleyan. He describes his indecision between majors early on in college; his eventual decision to major in math; his realization that he needed to move on from math to economics; and how these many interests have helped him develop an interdisciplinary vocabulary. He discusses his unorthodox path in learning economics; expresses gratitude for his professors (future Nobel Laureates) who made him go...