WASHINGTON, DC – January 21, 2025: The Cato Institute is thrilled to welcome two highly respected economists, Kyle Handley and Jeremy Horpedahl, as new adjunct scholars within its International Trade and General Economics groups, respectively. Their deep knowledge of economics will significantly bolster Cato’s mission to enhance the public’s understanding of free market principles and their implications for policy.

Kyle Handley joins Cato with an extensive background in the dynamics of international trade, investment, uncertainty, and firm employment. He currently serves as an Associate Professor of Economics and the Rafael and Marina Pastor Endowed Fellow at the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy. Handley is also a Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research and Director of the Center for Commerce and Diplomacy at UC San Diego. His notable research has been featured in leading publications such as the American Economic Review and the Journal of International Economics. Among his many accolades, Handley is the recipient of the 2011 World Trade Organization Essay Award for Young Economists and was a Kauffman Foundation Junior Faculty Fellow in 2015. He holds a B.S. in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Wisconsin, an M.Sc. in Economics from the London School of Economics, and a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland.

Jeremy Horpedahl is known for his insightful analysis on generational wealth, income inequality, and the cost of living. He is an Associate Professor at Central Arkansas College of Business and Director of the Arkansas Center for Research in Economics. Horpedahl’s work, including his critical examination of the “cost of thriving index,” has gained public attention, including a notable mention in the Washington Post. At Cato, Horpedahl will contribute several short-form pieces (blog/op-eds), and one long-form piece each month, in addition to participating in media and podcast opportunities as they arise.

The addition of Handley and Horpedahl to the Cato Institute’s team of scholars underscores the Institute’s ongoing dedication to free markets, rigorous economic research, and effective policy advocacy. Their combined expertise will enhance Cato’s analysis of complex economic issues and its ability to inform and influence policy debates both nationally and globally.

For more information about Kyle Handley, Jeremy Horpedahl, and their upcoming contributions to the Cato Institute, please visit https://​www​.cato​.org/​a​b​o​u​t​/​f​o​r​-​media.