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Faculty

Elizabeth Graddy

Professor

Jeffrey J. Miller Chair in Government, Business, and the Economy

Headshot of Elizabeth Graddy

Education

Ph.D. in Public Policy Analysis, Carnegie Mellon-University

Expertise

Institutional economics
Governance
Nonprofit organizations
Industry structure

Biography

Professor Graddy’s expertise is in institutional economics, public and nonprofit organizations, and public policy analysis. Her research focuses on the role of private organizations in serving the public interest, how industry and organizational structure affect performance, and how information asymmetry and uncertainty affect institutional design and effectiveness. These interests have led to numerous publications addressing the supply of public services, public-private partnerships, community-based philanthropic organizations, state budgetary processes, liability laws, regulatory outcomes, and industry structure and performance. She has recently returned to the faculty after serving the University for 8 years as Interim Provost, Executive Vice Provost, and Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs. Her current work focuses on higher education governance. Professor Graddy has served on the editorial boards of the Journal of Policy Analysis & Management and the Policy Studies Journal, and as a past public member and Vice President of the California State Board of Podiatric Medicine.

Selected Publications

Affiliated Research Centers

Bedrosian Center on Governance

Effective governance is essential to the quality of life of all Americans. The center is dedicated to understanding and improving the nature of democratic governance, policymaking, and management of the public enterprise in the 21st century. The center provides a highly visible focal point for imaginative research, policy analysis, and dialogue across the university. Through public discussion, the center focuses on pressing issues facing society and integrates conversations with civic education, which is at the heart of strong communities.

Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy

Established in 2000, the Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy promotes more effective philanthropy and strengthens the nonprofit sector to advance public problem solving. Its research focuses on trends and patterns in philanthropy and the nonprofit sector, philanthropic strategies for social impact, and challenges in philanthropic stewardship and leadership.

Kudos

July 10, 2023 In recognition of her career-long commitment to faculty mentorship at the USC Price School and across the university, USC President Carol Folt establishes a faculty mentoring award in her name.