Laura A. Paul

Research Agricultural Economist

I am a research agricultural economist working on policy-relevant questions related to rural communities, environmental change, conservation, and agricultural policy. My research uses applied microeconomics, econometrics, geospatial data, and experimental methods to understand how policy, environmental conditions, and economic systems shape outcomes for rural people and places.

My current work includes research on rural natural amenities, conservation practice persistence, climate adaptation, and the use of behavioral tools in agricultural and environmental policy.

Research Areas

Rural Economies & Natural Amenities

Research on migration, quality of life, natural amenities, and economic change in rural communities.

Conservation & Agricultural Policy

Analysis of conservation program participation, agricultural decision-making, and environmental policy outcomes.

Climate Adaptation & Risk

Research on how households, communities, and agricultural producers respond to climate-related risks.

Experimental & Applied Economics

Use of experiments, surveys, administrative records, and observational data to evaluate policies and understand behavior.