Rate Professor Nisvan Erkal

Professional Summary: Professor Nisvan Erkal

Professor Nisvan Erkal is a distinguished academic at the University of Melbourne, Australia, recognized for her contributions to the fields of economics, with a particular focus on experimental and behavioral economics. With a robust academic background and a commitment to advancing economic theory and policy through innovative research, she has established herself as a leading figure in her discipline.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Erkal holds advanced degrees in economics, reflecting her deep expertise in the field:

• Ph.D. in Economics, University of Maryland, College Park, USA (2003)
• Master of Arts in Economics, University of Maryland, College Park, USA
• Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Mathematics, Macalester College, USA

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Professor Erkal’s research primarily focuses on experimental economics, behavioral economics, industrial organization, and the economics of innovation. Her work often explores how individuals and organizations make decisions under various economic conditions, with an emphasis on incentives, competition, and innovation policies. She is particularly noted for her use of experimental methods to test economic theories and inform policy.

Career History and Appointments

Professor Erkal has held several prestigious positions at the University of Melbourne, where she has contributed significantly to both teaching and research:

• Professor of Economics, Department of Economics, University of Melbourne (current)
• Associate Professor, Department of Economics, University of Melbourne
• Lecturer/Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics, University of Melbourne

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Professor Erkal has been recognized for her academic excellence and contributions to economics through various accolades:

• ARC Future Fellowship, Australian Research Council, for her research on innovation and competition (2013–2017)
• Multiple research grants from the Australian Research Council for projects in experimental economics and innovation policy

Key Publications

Professor Erkal has published extensively in top-tier academic journals. Below is a selection of her notable works:

• “Gender Biases in Performance Evaluation: The Role of Beliefs versus Outcomes” (with L. Gangadharan and E. Xiao), Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 2023
• “By Chance or By Choice? Biased Attribution of Others’ Outcomes when Social Preferences Matter” (with L. Gangadharan and B.H. Koh), Experimental Economics, 2022
• “Monetary and Non-Monetary Incentives in Real-Effort Tournaments” (with L. Gangadharan and B.H. Koh), European Economic Review, 2018
• “An Experimental Analysis of Regulatory Interventions for Network Externalities” (with D. Piccinin), Journal of Regulatory Economics, 2010
• “Relative Earnings and Giving in a Real-Effort Experiment” (with L. Gangadharan and N. Nikiforakis), American Economic Review, 2011

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Erkal’s research has had a significant impact on the fields of experimental and behavioral economics, particularly in understanding how incentives and social preferences influence decision-making. Her work on innovation and competition policy has informed both academic discourse and practical policy design. As a mentor and educator, she has inspired numerous students and early-career researchers at the University of Melbourne to engage with experimental methods in economics.

Public Lectures, Committee Roles, and Editorial Contributions

Professor Erkal is actively involved in the broader academic community, contributing her expertise through various roles:

• Regular presenter at international conferences such as the Economic Science Association meetings and the Australian Conference of Economists
• Member of editorial boards for journals in experimental and behavioral economics
• Active participant in committees at the University of Melbourne, focusing on research and curriculum development in economics