June 20, 2010
Prof. Tebaldi is the go-to expert on Rhode Island economy
Rhode Island’s co-forecast manager for the New England Economic Partnership, Tebaldi has presented his research and recommendations to RI General Assembly.
As Rhode Island looks for ways to emerge from an economic downturn and a fiscal crisis, state leaders are looking to Assistant Economics Professor Edinaldo Tebaldi for answers.
In a December presentation to Rhode Island lawmakers, Tebaldi emphasized that the current recession made the state’s fundamental economic problems more noticeable, but its failure to create new jobs and sustain economic growth was not a new problem.
“Rhode Island has been lagging behind the nation in terms of job creation since the early 1990s, as the state failed to adapt its tax and regulatory systems to the new knowledge-based economy,” he says.
For his work, Tebaldi, who was recently recognized with the Research and Publication Award from Academic Affairs.
“I talk about my research in the classroom as a way to demonstrate to students how economic principles and theories can be applied to make decisions, analyze current economic problems, and design policies that might help solve major problems that affect local, national, and global economies,” he says.
Where theory and practice meet
In March, Tebaldi and a colleague, Assistant Economics Professor Logan Kelly, organized a daylong conference - “The Rhode Island Economy: Beyond the Problems to the Solutions – that brought State leaders including Governor Don Carcieri, Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed, and House Speaker Gordon Fox to campus.
Tebaldi told lawmakers and business leaders it is critical to move away from a focus on manufacturing – a sector that has been losing jobs since the 1980s – to a knowledge-based economy, where competition is global, innovation is key, and an educated workforce is a must.
“Long term prosperity in Rhode Island will only be achieved by preparing the economy and its labor force to take advantage of opportunities in the global economy,” he says
Tebaldi, who earned a Ph.D. and M.A. in economics from the University of New Hampshire, was attracted to Bryant by its strong reputation. “The University,” he says, “is a first-class and selective institution that has great potential for curriculum and program expansion, particularly in the areas related to applied economics.”
Read about last year's Faculty Award winners.
