About the AEA
Supporting the economics profession for over 140 years!
The American Economic Association (AEA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, scholarly association with more than 17,000 members from academia, government, and business who are committed to the advancement of economics and its enduring contributions to society.
Originally organized at a meeting in 1885 by a small group who were interested in economics discussion, the Association was incorporated in 1923. The AEA is currently headquartered in Nashville, TN, with a publications office located in Pittsburgh, PA.
In accordance with the core objectives outlined in its original mission statement, the AEA:
- Publishes leading scholarly research.
- Organizes the ASSA Annual Meeting, an ideal opportunity for the presentation and discussion of economics research.
- Recognizes outstanding achievements and service to the profession.
- Supports the professional development and interests of economists, teachers, and students with career-enhancing programs and services through the commitment and hard work of dedicated AEA committees.
- Promotes improvements to the professional climate in economics by establishing important policies and providing access to the AEA Ombuds Team.
- Publishes EconLit, the essential reference tool for economics literature.
- Produces the JOE Network, the hiring platform designed by economists for economists.
- Informs students, prospective economists, and the public about economics as a field of study.
AEA Code of Professional Conduct
In October 2017 an Ad Hoc Committee to Consider a Code of Professional Conduct for Economists was formed and charged with evaluating various aspects of professional conduct, including those which stifle diversity in economics. The ad hoc committee, composed of John Campbell (chair), Marianne Bertrand, Pascaline Dupas, Benjamin Edelman, and Matthew D. Shapiro, prepared an interim report and draft code which were circulated to the membership in January 2018 with an invitation to submit comments. The draft code was revised in response to more than 200 comments received, and the AEA Executive Committee voted on April 20, 2018, to adopt the revised Code.