Dr. Tomoko Utsumi is an esteemed academic currently serving as the Associate Dean and Associate Professor at the Faculty of International Liberal Arts, Soka University. She has a distinguished educational background, holding a Ph.D. in Applied Economics from the University of Minnesota, an M.A. in Economics from New York University, and a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Soka University of America. Dr. Utsumi’s professional journey includes significant research roles at the World Bank, consultancy work for the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) at MIT, and a research officer position at the Economic and Social Research Institute, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan.
In her speech, Dr. Utsumi focused on "Analyzing Development Issues from an Applied Microeconomic Perspective," highlighting the importance of microeconomic approaches in addressing development challenges. She explained how traditional economic models often assume rational behavior, which may not always align with real-world actions. Dr. Utsumi emphasized behavioral economics, which integrates psychological insights to understand actual human behavior, providing examples such as present bias affecting health behaviors and saving patterns among the poor. She also discussed practical applications, like using small incentives to promote preventive healthcare and the effectiveness of ROSCAs (Rotating Savings and Credit Associations) in helping the poor overcome saving constraints.
Students responded positively to Dr. Utsumi's speech, appreciating the clarity with which she connected theoretical concepts to practical issues in development economics. They found her examples particularly enlightening, as they illustrated how small, context-specific interventions can significantly impact individuals' lives in low- and middle-income countries. Her discussion on behavioral economics was especially well-received, as it provided a fresh perspective on understanding economic behaviors and developing effective policies. Overall, students left the session with a deeper appreciation for the nuanced and multifaceted nature of economic development issues.
