Dr. Gerald Jaynes

Biography

Gerald Jaynes is the Whitney Griswold Professor of Economics and a recognized authority in the fields of economic theory, history, race relations, and public economics. His interdisciplinary research addresses a range of areas including the economics of immigration and Black Studies, promoting the understanding of how these topics influence American economic conditions. His significant contributions to the study of economics immigration have positioned him as a strong advocate for the positive benefits that immigration provides to the American economy. Jaynes is widely recognized for his pioneering work on the reorganization of labor in the American South, particularly the impact of slavery on the rise of sharecropping. A coauthor of the book "Common Destiny: Blacks in American Society," which was sponsored by the National Research Council, he has developed a robust doctoral program in Black Studies at Yale that emphasizes joint admissions with multiple partner departments. His current research integrates behavioral economics and game theory in examining economic discrimination. Jaynes has served multiple roles within academia, including assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and has acted in various public capacities, engaging with legislative bodies and providing testimony to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission. He has been cited in international forums and media, illustrating the broad reach and impact of his work.

Research Interests