WSU Regents Professor Elected President of Global Agricultural Economists Association
As a longtime member of the International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE), Jill McCluskey values the many opportunities to network, collaborate, and share research at international conferences. Recently elected IAAE president, she aspires to help other members have equally beneficial experiences.
“I didn’t expect to be elected president,” said McCluskey, Washington State University Regents Professor and School of Economic Sciences (SES) director. “It means a lot that my international colleagues put their faith in me, and I hope to provide opportunities for members to collaborate and develop as agricultural and applied economists.”
McCluskey’s research focuses on food quality and reputation, food labeling and standards, food access and retail markets, and new technology in food and agriculture. An IAAE member since 2006, she joined the organization’s board of directors in 2021.
McCluskey is only the second woman to be elected IAAE president in the association’s almost 100-year history, and the first American to hold the position in 30 years. She will assume her new role in 2027 and serve a three-year term, during which the association will celebrate its centennial. Until 2027, she holds the position of president-elect and is a member of IAAE’s executive board.
McCluskey is only the second woman to be elected IAAE president in the association’s almost 100-year history, and the first American to hold the position in 30 years.
“Jill McCluskey understands the international research and policy challenges for food and agriculture very well and can bring together and motivate colleagues with very diverse backgrounds to contribute to bigger-picture goals,” said current IAAE President Matin Qaim, Schlegel professor of agricultural economics at the University of Bonn, Germany. “We very much look forward to her vision for the international agricultural economics profession and her leadership of our great association.”
Since its founding in 1929, IAAE has worked to bring together agricultural economists from around the world and promote their common professional interests. McCluskey emphasizes the value of participating in an international organization such as IAAE, highlighting its potential to introduce members to a variety of perspectives.
“It’s important to expand one’s network and interact with others who study the same problems,” she said. “Doing so has helped me find new collaborators, understand the latest research on subjects of interest, and gain access to data.”
McCluskey also appreciates the mutually beneficial experience of mentoring other IAAE scientists.
“Through the association, I’ve met a number of younger research colleagues from around the world whose ideas energize me,” she said. “I can simultaneously share my knowledge with them and potentially help them publish their work in a top U.S. or international research journal.”
This summer, McCluskey joined more than 1,000 IAAE members in New Delhi, India, for a weeklong conference that began with a welcome address from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the meeting, which occurs every three years, participants networked and shared their latest agricultural economics research findings.
“The IAAE truly is global — 68 countries were represented at the conference,” McCluskey said. “It’s important to interact with members from low- and middle-income countries and hear their perspectives and insights. It helps us learn how we can work together and address global problems in the food system.”
As IAAE president, McCluskey will help choose editors for the association’s journal and plan regional conferences. She will also lead the organization of the next international conference, set for 2027 in Kigali, Rwanda.
As the first woman to lead WSU’s School of Economic Sciences, McCluskey consistently works to promote women’s success in science, technology, engineering, and math careers. During her time as editor of the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, she pushed for more female editorial representation and reviewers. McCluskey’s new IAAE role will further extend her commitment to diversity.
“I will work to increase IAAE participation of women and members of low- and middle-income countries,” McCluskey said. “We need their perspectives; they will have important implications for global health and climate change.”