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Prof Alan Randall

Summary

My life’s work is addressed to the economics of natural resources and environment, and the policy implications thereof.

Research interests

To pursue these interests my research involves theory and practice of welfare change measurement and benefit cost analysis; nonmarket valuation of environmental goods, services, and amenities; economic assessment of natural resources damages; economic theory of conservation; theory and measurement of sustainability; and the ethical foundations of welfare economics and benefit cost analysis. My most recent research, on the precautionary principle and how it might be integrated into risk management practice, has been published in the book Risk and Precaution (Cambridge University Press, 2011), and I expect this mostly conceptual work to provide a platform for applied research in management of risk, especially climate-related risk.

My current research interests are focused on sustainability in the Murray Darling Basin, and the economics of climate adaptation.

Background

My career began with completing a PhD at Oregon State University in 1970. Since then, I have held academic appointments at New Mexico State University (1970-74), the University of Kentucky (1974-85), and The Ohio State University (1985-2010). At Ohio State, I served as department chair 1998-2010. I was appointed to my current position at the University of Sydney in January, 2011.

Over the years, I have supervised 28 PhD students to completion.

Recent publications

  • Randall, A. (2011). Risk and Precaution. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge and New York, xviii + 260pp.
  • Randall, A. 2011. “Innovation, Risk, Precaution, and the Regulation of GM Crops”. Carter, C., Moschini, G. and Sheldon, I., eds. Genetically Modified Food and Global Welfare. Emerald Publishing Group (in press).
  • Bergstrom, J. and A. Randall (2010). Resource Economics: An Economic Approach to Natural Resource and Environmental Policy, 3rd Edition, Cheltenham, UK and Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar. ix + 430pp.
  • Randall, A. 2009. “We Already Have Risk Management – Do We Really Need the Precautionary Principle?” International Review of Environmental and Resource Economics 3(1): 39-74.
  • Randall, A. 2008. “Is Australia on a Sustainability Path? Interpreting the Clues,” Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics 52:77-95.
  • Randall, A. 2008. “Cost Benefit Analysis”, Encyclopedia of Environmental Ethics and Philosophy. Gale Cengage Macmillan. Vol. 1, 189-193.
  • Irwin, E.G, A. Randall, and Y. Chen. 2008. “Exploring the Prospects for Amenity-Driven Growth in Rural Areas”, in J. Wu, P. W. Barkley and B. A. Weber (eds.), Frontiers in Resource and Rural Economics: Human-Nature and Rural-Urban Interdependencies. Washington DC: Resources for the Future, Inc., 82-93.
  • Randall, A. 2007. “A Consistent Valuation and Pricing Framework for Non-commodity Outputs: Progress and Prospects”, Journal of Agriculture, Ecosystems, and Environment 120:21-30.
  • Randall, A. 2007. “Benefit Cost Analysis and a Safe Minimum Standard of Conservation”, I G. Atkinson, S. Dietz, and E. Neumayer (eds.) Handbook of Sustainable Development, Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar. 91-105.
  • Randall, A. 2002. “Valuing the Outputs of Multifunctional Agriculture,” European Review of Agricultural Economics 29: 289-307.

Contact

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