Harvey S. James, Jr., professor and director of graduate studies, agricultural and applied economics, has been named interim director of the Division of Applied Social Sciences, effective Nov. 10, 2022.

James joined the University of Missouri in 2001, and has had many roles over the years, including chair of the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, associate division director in DASS, and chair of the CAFNR Promotion and Tenure Committee.

“Dr. James is an outstanding educator, researcher, administrator and colleague,” said Christopher Daubert, vice chancellor and dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. “He also has always been quick to serve our college, university and his academic field. I appreciate his willingness to serve in this role, and know the division will benefit from his leadership.”

James’ research focuses on applied ethics and the economic foundations of trust, ethics and happiness. He has a particular interest in the organizational structure of firms and markets and ethical issues relating to contracting and market competition. Much of his research is directed at the agrifood sector. He has taught courses including Applied Microeconomics; Ethical Issues in Agriculture; and Economics of Institutions and Organizations.

He was editor-in-chief of Agriculture and Human Values from 2007 to 2019 and is a member of the editorial boards of Agriculture and Human Values; Sustainability; Academy of Management Perspectives; and Business Ethics Quarterly. James was editor of the Handbook on the Human Impact of Agriculture, published in 2021. He is a member of the Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society; American Agricultural Economic Association; American Economic Association; Association for Social Economics; and the Society for Business Ethics.

James has been part of MU Faculty Council, CAFNR Promotion and Tenure Committee and Graduate Faculty Senate. He received the Richard P. Haynes Lifetime Achievement Award in Sustainable Agriculture from the Agriculture, Food and Human Values Society in 2020, and the CAFNR Outstanding Senior Teaching Award and Golden Apple Teaching Award in 2018.

He received his bachelor’s in economics and master’s in sociology from Brigham Young University, as well as a master’s and PhD in economics from Washington University in St. Louis.

“I am looking forward to working with the outstanding people – students, staff, faculty – in the Division of Applied Social Sciences,” James said. “I think we have some of the best people on campus in our Division. I see my responsibility as helping them succeed; helping them be the best they can be.”