Fields of Interest
- Water policy
- Development economics
- Water resource economics
- Non-market valuation
- Benefit-cost analysis
- Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
- Stormwater and Green Infrastructure
Education
- Ph.D., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 2007
- M.S., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 2004
- B.S., Cornell University, 1996
Academic Appointments
- Professor, School of Economic Sciences, WSU, August 2023-current.
- Associate Professor, School of Economic Sciences, WSU, Fall 2017-Aug 2023.
- Associate Professor, Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy & Governance, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 2013-2017 (tenured). Assistant Professor, 2007 – 2013.
Selected Current Honors, Affiliations, Editorial & Service Positions
- Excellence in Teaching Award (University of Washington, student-awarded): 2010-11 and 2015-16
- Dean’s Excellence in Teaching Award (University of Washington), 2013
- Bruce Gardner Memorial Prize for Applied Policy Analysis, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, 2016, for “Benefit-cost analyses of the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan Projects”.
Current Teaching Assignments
- EconS 101 Principles of Microeconomics
- EconS 301 Intermediate Microeconomic Theory with Calculus
- EconS 581 Resource Economics (doctoral)
Working Papers & Recent
Cook, J., J. Kabubo-Mariara and Peter Kimuyu. 2023. “The short-run impacts of reducing water collection times on time use, well-being and education in rural Kenya”. Economic Development and Cultural Change, forthcoming. Working paper. Data and replication code here.
Cook, J. and W. Sugiarto. 2023. “Measuring consumer demand for tires made without 6PPD”. Under review. Study registration, data and pre-analysis plan here.
Brent, D.A., D. Wrenn, G. Lara, and J. Cook. 2023. “Peer effects in residential green infrastructure adoption.” Under review.
M.T. Randriamaro, A. Espinola-Arredondo, D. Fuente and J. Cook. 2023. “A theoretical model of utility bill payment behavior”. Under review.
Fuente, D., R. Mulwa, and J. Cook. 2023. “Out of Sight Out of Mind : Household Perceptions of ‘ Fair ’ Water Prices in Nairobi , Kenya.” Water Resources Research 59(e2022WR033374). EfD Discussion Paper version.
M.T. Randriamaro and J. Cook. 2022. “The value of time, with and without a smartphone.” J Econ Beh and Organization, 200: 138-146
Brent, D., J. Cook, and A. Lassiter. 2022. “The effects of eligibility and voluntary participation on the distribution of benefits in environmental programs: an application to green stormwater infrastructure”.” Land Economics 98(4): 579-598.
Cook, J., J. Kabubo-Mariara and Peter Kimuyu. 2022. “Happy at work in Africa? Measuring hedonic well-being among water carriers in rural Kenya using the Experience Sampling Method”. J Happiness Studies, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-022-00509-2. Working paper version.
Extension and Outreach
My extension program focuses on providing local and state policymakers with timely, evidence-based information on issues around water and stormwater. I use non-market valuation and survey-based approaches as well as benefit-cost analysis to analyze policy and behavioral solutions to water issues, especially as they pertain to stormwater management but also water resources and water markets. Because many policy solutions and infrastructure investments for both water scarcity and water quality involve additional ratepayer costs, I also provide applied research and evidence-based advice for utilities in designing assistance programs to ensure that their poorest customers can afford modern water and sanitation services.
Extension Websites
- Water and sewer customer assistance programs in the U.S. (https://waterassistanceprograms.org/)
- Tools and Resources for Behavior Change Programs in Stormwater and Water Quality (www.waterbehaviorchange.org)
Extension Media and Blogposts
- “Millions of Americans struggle to pay their water bills – here’s how a national water aid program could work”. The Conversation. Nov. 29, 2021. Reprinted in the Chicago Sun-Times, SmartWater Magazine, The Big Issue (Japan). Invited to be part of Johns Hopkins Press Book Project (2023).
- UNC WASH Policy Research Digest, April 2021. Podcast interview about guest-edited special issue on affordability in water in Water Economics and Policy.
- Would you lease your water rights? The devil is in the details”, WSU CSANR, Nicole Bell. October 5, 2021. Editorial support.
- KUOW “The Record”, interview on water markets, August 21, 2019.
- NPR “Marketplace”, interview on water markets, February 17, 2017
Extension Presentations and Panels
- “Thoughts on customer assistance programs in water and sewer in the US.” National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates (NASUCA), May 12, 2022.
- Invited testimony on water markets to Washington State Legislature, House Rural Development and Natural Resources subcommittee. February 25, 2020.
- Panelist for 2022 Lane Lecture (WSU School of the Environment) featuring Catherine Coleman-Flowers, “Environmental Justice in rural America”, Feb. 16, 2022
Extension Advisory Services
- Member, Stormwater Strategic Initiative Lead Advisory Team (SIAT). Provides expert opinion and recommendations to the Stormwater Strategic Initiative Lead Team (SIL) to develop implementation strategies, review recovery plans, and policy recommendations for Puget Sound recovery. 2022-
- Section Editor for Stormwater Policy & Management, Oxford Encyclopedia of Water, Sanitation, and Global Health. 2018-2022
- Member, Washington State Academy of Sciences (WSAS) Committee to advise the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife on fish hatchery reform. 2018-2019