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Schaeffer named 2018-2019 Benedum Distinguished Scholar

Four exceptional faculty members at West Virginia University have been named 2018-2019 Benedum Distinguished Scholars in recognition of the high caliber of their research and scholarly activity:

The Distinguished Scholars awards, funded by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, are awarded annually to faculty engaged in “creative research” in as many as four categories: behavioral and social sciences, biosciences and health sciences, humanities and the arts, and physical sciences and technology. This year, exceptional scholars were identified in all four categories.


“Our Benedum Distinguished Scholars are truly extraordinary researchers in their fields,” said Provost Joyce McConnell. “What excites me even more than the caliber of their work is its relevance to our world today and its potential to transform the world tomorrow. We are very proud to have them here at WVU and to have the opportunity to recognize their achievements with this award.”


Peter Schaeffer is professor in the division of resource economics and management, adjunct professor of economics, and faculty research associate at the Regional Research Institute. He has more than 18 years of experience in administration and has consulted on regional economic development in North America, Europe, and the People’s Republic of China. He currently serves on the editorial boards of nine journals in urban and regional planning, regional science, social sciences and applied economics. He is also editor for the Energy Economics and Policy section of the journal Energies. In 2008 he received the William H. Miernyk Award for Lifetime Scholarly Achievement from the Regional Research Institute and in 2016 he was recognized by the Southern Regional Science Association with the William A. Schaffer Award for Outstanding Service to Regional Science; in 2018 he was named an SRSA Fellow. His research focuses on economic policy, particularly regional and rural economics and development; international labor migration and domestic job mobility; and natural resource management issues.


For the full story, visit WVU Today.