Prof. Bhaskar Dutta named Distinguished University Professor of Economics

Ashoka University today instituted Prof. Bhaskar Dutta as Distinguished University Professor of Economics. Distinguished University Professor is a rare distinction conferred by the University and is a recognition of outstanding academic and research achievements as well as significant contribution to institution building at Ashoka.

“The conferment of the title of Distinguished University Professor is a new policy adopted by the University. I cannot think of anyone at Ashoka who deserves this distinction as much as Professor Bhaskar Dutta,” said Prof. Malabika Sarkar, Vice Chancellor.

Prof. Dutta’s research interests include Cooperative Game Theory, Mechanism Design, Formation of Groups and Networks, Social Choice Theory and Development Economics. He has had a long association with the Indian Statistical Institute, where he taught during 1979 -2002. He has also been a Visiting Professor in several universities including the California Institute of Technology, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Universite Cergy-Pointoise, Paris, University of Graz. He was winner of the Mahalanobis Memorial Award of the Indian Econometric Society in 1990. He was President of the Society for Social Choice and Welfare (2014-16). He is also a Fellow of the Econometric Society, and the Society for Advancement of Economic Theory. He has been Chair, Standing Committee for India and South Asia as well as a member of the Council of the Econometric Society. He is currently a member of the Council of the Game Theory Society. He has also served as consultant for the World Bank, UNDP, ILO and ADB.

Prof. Dutta has published extensively in leading journals, applying game-theoretic tools in the areas of mechanism design, cooperative game theory, the economic theory of social networks, and social choice theory. He was Managing Editor of Social Choice and Welfare, and is currently Advisory Editor of Games and Economic Behavior as well as Social Choice and Welfare. He has also edited several books.

Prof. Dutta did his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Calcutta, and his Master’s and Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Delhi.

“This is such an incredible honour! I am truly delighted and at the same time feel  humbled,” Prof Dutta said on receiving the honor.

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