Dr Chris Decker is an economist whose research is focussed on the application of economics in public policy, legal and regulatory processes. His research interests include: industrial organization and regulation; behavioural law and economics; and the sociology of (scientific) knowledge.
Contact details
christopher.decker@wolfson.oxon.org
07846 952 231
Qualifications and positions
Bachelor of Economics (Hons. 1st Class) University of Melbourne; D.Phil (Oxford).
Research Director, Regulatory Policy Institute, Oxford; Research Member, Wolfson College, Oxford University.
Main publications
Economics and the Enforcement of European Competition Law, Edward Elgar, (2009)
Current work
Chris’ current work is focussed on the application of economics, and the use of economic evidence, in regulatory processes (including Impact Assessments) and competition law enforcement. This includes examining how economic objectives are reconciled with other public policy objectives, such as social and environmental objectives. The purpose of this research is to extend existing work on the use of expert knowledge in practical settings through examining how economics is utilised, applied and balanced by the different participants, and for the various audiences, in different legal, regulatory and public policy settings.
Relevant published work includes:
“Multiple Objectives and Economic Regulation: impacts on processes and outcomes” BE Press Working Paper (forthcoming) 2009
“Bridging the Gap between Economic Principle and Regulatory Convention: The Case of Ramsey Pricing”, mimeo, (2007)
‘Ex post and ex ante approaches to the regulation of market power’, Studies in Regulation, Oxford (2004) (with G Yarrow)
‘Competition Law and Commodity Markets’, Economic Affairs, Vol.22, No.4 (2002) (with T Keyworth)
In addition, Chris has published research studies and reports in relation to a range of regulated activities (energy, water, communications, financial services and transport). These studies have been for, or submitted to: the OECD; the European Commission; the European Central Bank, and regulatory and government agencies in Australia, Argentina, Hong Kong, Japan, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
