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Department of Economics News

Economics studies how to allocate scarce resources to meet unlimited wants. A blend of theory and applied quantitative and analytical skills, a degree in economics prepares students for jobs in businesses, financial firms, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations and for advanced degrees in business, economics, law, public administration, and other social sciences.

Current Economics News

a set of model teeth with blue plastic gums
Campus News | May 16, 2023

News highlights featuring UNLV faculty and students who made local and national headlines.

Wildfire scorch marks.
Research | May 5, 2023

UNLV research shows that FEMA-declared wildfire disasters in the fastest-growing home development areas have minimal impact on new home construction.

Rebel Girls & Company dance team
Campus News | February 10, 2023

A collection of news stories highlighting expert insights, new collaborations, and academic achievement.

UNLV Engineering team's robot shaking hands with student
Campus News | December 5, 2022

A roundup of students and faculty whose innovation and expertise made news headlines.

lithium mine pools with mountains in background
Research | November 29, 2022

With a rich store of lithium in our lands, the state has a chance to capitalize on the ever-growing demand for clean energy. Here’s how we can ensure this boom doesn’t go bust.

a female student sits in the grass by a tree reading a book
Campus News | September 1, 2022

A roundup of prominent news stories highlighting university pride, research, and community collaboration.

Economics In The News

Las Vegas Review Journal
June 2, 2023

When Kiara Ringgenberg and her boyfriend moved to Ely at Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas this April, they found the developer, The Calida Group, was more than happy to have them given current market conditions.

Las Vegas Review Journal
May 30, 2023

With mortgage rates at their highest level since mid-March, homebuilders in Las Vegas are employing a long-used tactic to help keep sales flowing during a tight market — reduced mortgages.

City Cast Las Vegas
May 24, 2023

Well, it looks like the Oakland A’s are one step closer to getting public financing for a new stadium in Las Vegas. Yesterday, the Nevada Independent reported that the team and state officials had reached a “loose agreement” for a reduced public financing package.

Las Vegas Sun
May 15, 2023

Some homeowners in the western United States have chosen to build in areas that are susceptible to wildfires for obvious reasons: The forest, with its beautiful trees and the unspoiled wilderness, are your backyard, said Nicholas Irwin, an assistant professor in the UNLV department of economics.

Las Vegas Sun
May 15, 2023

Some homeowners in the western United States have chosen to build in areas that are susceptible to wildfires for obvious reasons: The forest, with its beautiful trees and the unspoiled wilderness, are your backyard, said Nicholas Irwin, an assistant professor in the UNLV department of economics.

KVVU-TV: Fox 5
May 11, 2023

As Las Vegas continues to expand, some residents may be increasing their risks by moving into fire-prone areas. Two UNLV professors are looking into how homes continue to be built despite the dangers of the landscape.

Economics Experts

An economics professor specializing in real estate, as well as urban, health, and environmental issues. 
An expert in public policy, business, and economics.
An expert on leadership, corporate governance, and business ethics.
An expert in housing, environmental, and urban issues.
An expert in health economics.
An expert on economics, computing, and higher education.

Recent Economics Accomplishments

May 28, 2023
Shawn McCoy (Economics; Director of the Lied Center for Real Estate) was recently interviewed by Fox5 about his paper on wildfires and residential development. The paper was co-authored with Nicholas Irwin (Economics) and Katie Jo Black (Kenyon College).
May 22, 2023
Shawn McCoy (Economics; Lied Center for Real Estate) and Nicholas Irwin (Economics) were both recently interviewed by the Las Vegas Sun about their recent research article studying residential development in the aftermath of wildfires.
April 30, 2023
Nicholas Irwin (Economics) was recently interviewed by KTNV-Las Vegas and the East Bay Times about the potential relocation of the Oakland A's and the associated economic impacts.
April 19, 2023
Nicholas Irwin (Economics) was recently interviewed by the Las Vegas Review-Journal about Workbnb, a Las Vegas startup and short-term rental company.
April 10, 2023
Nicholas Irwin (Economics), Shawn McCoy (Economics/Lied Center for Real Estate), and co-author Katie Jo Black (Kenyon College) recently published an article, "Wildfire risk, salience, and housing development in the wildland–urban interface," in the Journal of Regional Science, the pre-eminent journal in regional and urban economics and an A-level…
November 21, 2022
Nicholas Irwin (Economics) was interviewed by Telemundo-Las Vegas multiple times this fall, discussing inflation, affordable housing, and water usage.