The Economics Department hosts department seminars every term in the academic year, as well as our seminal annual event, the Harold G. Vatter Memorial Lecture that features a preeminent economist in their field discussing an important topical issue. Our affiliated institutes also hold events throughout the year that highlight the issue central to their goals and missions.


Jeffry Frieden photo
Jeffry Frieden, Professor of International and Public Affairs and Political Science at Columbia University, and Professor of Government emeritus at Harvard University

Harold Goodhue Vatter memorial Lecture

Harold Vatter Memorial Lecture Speaker Jeffry Frieden

May 22, 4-5:30 p.m. in SMSU 294

Topic: "Understanding the Backlash Against Globalization"

The annual Harold G. Vatter Memorial Lecture was established in 2006 to honor PSU Professor of Economics Harold Goodhue Vatter. Vatter was a pioneer of New Economic History. By integrating economic theory with history, Vatter achieved a level of thinking on par with the greats. He taught at several universities, including the University of Chicago and Oregon State University, before coming to Portland State University in 1965. He passed away September 8, 2000 at the age of 89.

The Vatter Lecture brings renown economists from around the region and the country to PSU to discuss current, topical economics issues. This year, Jeffry Frieden, Professor of International and Public Affairs and Political Science at Columbia University, and Professor of Government emeritus at Harvard University is the speaker. He specializes in the politics of international economic relations. Dr. Frieden is the author of Global Capitalism: Its Fall and Rise in the Twentieth Century and its Stumbles in the Twenty First (2006, second edition 2020); Currency Politics: The Political Economy of Exchange Rate Policy (2016); and (with Menzie Chinn) of Lost Decades: The Making of America's Debt Crisis and the Long Recovery (2011). He is also the author of Banking on the World: The Politics of American International Finance (1987), of Debt, Development, and Democracy: Modern Political Economy and Latin America, 1965‑1985 (1991), and is the co-author or co-editor of over a dozen other books on related topics. His articles on the politics of international economic issues have appeared in a wide variety of scholarly and general-interest publications. He earned a B.A. summa cum laude Columbia College and his Ph.D. from Columbia University.

The event is on Thursday, May 22 from 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. in SMSU 294 and is open to all PSU students, faculty, and staff as well as the Portland community.

Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.


Department Seminars

The Economics Department hosts many seminars during the academic year. Each term, Portland State University economics faculty, invited external faculty, or graduate students present working papers to economics majors. The general public is welcome to attend this free event. Please see our Seminar Schedule for more information.

Institute Events

The department is affiliated with three PSU research institutes; The Northwest Economic Research Center, Institute for Economics and the Environment, and Initiatives for Community and Disaster Resilience. Each institute has its unique specialization and hosts events throughout the year. Their events can be found at their websites.