Deborah DeGraff

Deborah DeGraff is a distinguished economist and educator who has made significant contributions to the field of economics, particularly in the areas of applied demographic and labor economics in developing countries.

Academic Background and Career

Deborah DeGraff received her Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Michigan in 1989.1 She also holds a B.A. in Economics from Knox College.13 DeGraff joined Bowdoin College in 1991 and has had a long and successful career there.1 She is currently Professor of Economics Emerita at Bowdoin College, having retired from her active professorship in July 2022.23

Research Interests and Contributions

DeGraff's primary research interests include:

1. Applied demographic and labor economics in developing countries
2. Household decisions regarding children's work and schooling
3. Women's labor force participation
4. Fertility and contraception use
5. Economic issues related to aging populations

She has conducted research in various countries, including Bangladesh, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, and China.1 Her work often applies microeconomic principles to understand household decision-making processes.

Notable Achievements

• Awarded Bowdoin's Karofsky prize for teaching excellence among untenured faculty in 1993/941
• Served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs from 2000/01 through 2003/041
• Published numerous research papers in reputable journals such as World Development, Research on Aging, and Feminist Economics1
• Co-authored a book titled "Kids at Work: The Value of Employer-Sponsored On-Site Child Care"1

Recent Work

In recent years, DeGraff has focused on:

1. Child labor in Brazil
2. The economic position of the elderly in Mexico
3. Effects of changing economic structures on families in China1

Her work on Mexico's aging population has been particularly noteworthy, as she explored new data from a groundbreaking study in the country.4

Throughout her career, Deborah DeGraff has demonstrated a commitment to understanding economic issues that affect families, women, and children in various global contexts, contributing valuable insights to the field of economics and demographic studies.