Jim Adams Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
With the intent of promoting and recognizing excellence in undergraduate teaching in Economics at the University of Michigan, the Jim Adams Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching was established in 2024 in honor of Professor Jim Adams.
Awarded annually, the Department Chair of Economics will name a faculty member for this award with input from students, faculty, staff, and evidence from student evaluations, as well as the depth, breadth and originality of their undergraduate course design.
For even-numbered years, the recipient is required to have been in their position for at least seven years. Additionally, they will have achieved sustained excellence in undergraduate teaching, and have been a source of sustained inspiration to a broad array of their students.
For odd-numbered years, the recipient is required to have been in their position for less than seven years. Alongside having shown the ability to inspire a wide spectrum of their students, they will have demonstrated an early commitment to, and exceptional promise in undergraduate teaching.
During the Department’s commencement ceremony, held in Crisler Arena, the recipient will be named and recognized to celebrate and honor the recipient in front of a large and relevant audience, including the graduating seniors who have been positively influenced by the recipient.
2024 Recipient
David Miller received the first Jim Adams Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching in April 2024. Dr. Miller is a game theorist and Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Michigan. In 2004 he received his Ph.D. from Stanford University, and has been a member of the faculty since 2013. Having first started as an Assistant Professor, he was promoted to Associate Professor in 2017. He also served as the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Department of Economics from 2020-2023, which were crucial years through the pandemic.
Dr. Miller currently teaches courses in Game Theory, Microeconomics, Microeconomic Theory, and Advanced Theory. He studies repeated games, social networks, contracts, mechanism design, and various applied theory topics. Students commented that he was “engaging and thought-provoking,” and “an incredible educator” who “clearly cares about his students.” Congratulations to Professor Miller for his excellent leadership and service to our students!
