Announcements
In honor of Dr. Richard O. Zerbe, the Society for Benefit-Cost Analysis is publishing a highlight series celebrating his remarkable contributions to the field. As a founding member and past president of the Society, Dr. Zerbe’s work has shaped benefit-cost analysis (BCA) by advancing its theoretical and ethical frameworks and championing its integration into public policy and decision-making. His efforts have also expanded BCA’s role in addressing today’s complex societal needs. His influence has inspired generations of scholars and practitioners to view BCA not just as a tool for economic outcomes but as a means of promoting equity, social justice, and sustainability. Read more>>
Southern Economic Association
Attendees at the 94th Annual Meeting of the Southern Economic Association (November 23-25, 2024, in Washington, DC) had the opportunity to attend a number of SBCA-organized sessions. Many thanks to our session organizers: Lisa A. Robinson (Harvard University); W. Kip Viscusi (Vanderbilt University); Deborah Vaughn Aiken (U.S. Department of Transportation) and Eliane Catilina (U.S. Department of Transportation); and Don Kenkel (Cornell University). View sessions here.
JBCA Special Issue on Circular A-4 Comments
SBCA has been working closely with the Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis (JBCA) on a special issue featuring comments on the Biden administration's revised Circular A-4. These comments, submitted by former SBCA presidents, will be compiled into a special issue of the JBCA expected next year.
While the special issue is still in progress—due to delays at Cambridge University Press—we are pleased to share these important papers in advance as working papers on the SBCA website. Each article includes both a prologue and epilogue alongside the original comments, reproduced as submitted. Please note that this collection is part of an ongoing JBCA project and will appear in a future issue, though we cannot yet confirm their "forthcoming" status.
Learn more here.
Members in the News
SBCA member Philippe Barla (Université Laval) recently produced a new cost-benefit analysis textbook in French that can be easily translated. This manual published under a CC.BY license is intended for people with basic knowledge of microeconomics and wishing to acquire the foundations of cost-benefit analysis (CBA). An English version can easily be obtained using Google translate. CBA corresponds to a set of practices derived from economic theory and aimed at evaluating the social profitability of a project or public policy. This decision-making tool is used by several international organizations as well as many governments. Learn more>>
As a service to its members, SBCA publishes career listings on its website. Submit your opportunity>>