James J. Opaluch Department Chair Office: Telephone: Email: Curriculum Vitae: Room 207 (401)874-4590 (401)874-4590 jimo@uri.edu Opaluch Curriculum Vita.pdf Education Ph.D. Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California, Berkeley, 1981 M.A. Statistics, University of California, Berkeley, 1977 B.A. Economics, University of Rhode Island, 1975 Research Areas Decision Research and Policy Simulation -- Using technology-based tools to help communities make better decisions regarding their futures by helping them to better visualize the consequences of alternative policy actions (including inaction) on ecosystems, environmental quality, town finances and the character of their community. Tools include Geographic Information Systems (GIS), digital imagery, and virtual reality tools, all integrated into multi-disciplinary computer models that forecast impacts. Understanding values and their relationships to decision making by individuals and small groups. Understanding how information is used to contribute to decision making, and identifying the best forms for information to contribute to wise choices.

Other Links / Downloadable Reports

• Controlling Risks of Invasion of Intentionally Introduced Species

Selected Publications

• Luo, Meifeng and James J. Opaluch, 2011. “Analyzing the risks of biological invasion: An agent based simulation model for introducing non-native oysters in Chesapeake Bay, USA” Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment, Volume 25, Number 3 (March).


• Opaluch, James J., 2010. “Forecasting the Effects of Climate Change on the Rhode Island Economy” 41o North, Vol. 5 No. 1.


• August, P. V., J. M. Swift, D. Q. Kellogg, G. Page, P. Nelson, J. Opaluch, J. S. Cobb, C. Foster, and A.J. Gold, 2010. “The T Assessment Tool: A Simple Metric for Assessing Multidisciplinary Graduate Education” Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education, 39 (1) 15-21.


• Opaluch, James J. 2010, "A Run on the Banks" 41 North, Vol. 5 No. 2


• Opaluch, James J. with multiple authors, 2009. “Lagoons and Climate Change: Ecological and Social Ramifications in Atl. and Gulf Coast Ecosystems”. Ecology and Society 14 (1): 8.


• Opaluch, James J., with multiple authors, 2010. Hypoxia in the Northern Gulf of Mexico, Springer