Head of the Class

Professor Bown is a past recipient of the university's Michael L. Walzer '56 Award for Teaching, a prize given annually to a tenure-track faculty member who "combines scholarship with inspired teaching."

Chad P. Bown

Associate Professor of Economics
Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison

Current research
My research focuses on international trade. I look at the integration of developing countries into the international trading system, and I examine the hurdles preventing poor countries from greater participation in the global economy. Using the tools of economics, I seek to make sense of international trade laws and institutions, trade policy negotiations and trade disputes.       

Favorite classroom experience
In the fall of 2006, I co-taught a Brandeis course about globalization with Thomas L. Friedman ’75, whose book on globalization, "The World Is Flat," has spent two years on the New York Times bestseller list. Where else is that kind of opportunity going to arise?  

What makes Brandeis special
Over the last couple of years, I have headed a research project for the World Bank on trade policies around the world. I was able to pull the project together at Brandeis by tapping into the language and cultural expertise of my own students from countries as diverse as Turkey, China, Malaysia, India and Bangladesh. As a small university, committed to both teaching and research, Brandeis makes it possible for faculty to work closely and interactively with our global student body on beneficial projects.

Last book read for pleasure
"American Pastoral" by Philip Roth

Favorite world city to visit
London. Every visit spurs memories of formative childhood experiences. Those experiences led to my intellectual life pursuit of trying to understand how the world might get along.