Dek Terrell
Director Center for Economics, Business, & Policy Research
Dr. Terrell is working with state agencies on numerous projects related to Louisiana's economy.
Areas of Expertise
Biography
Research Focus
Applied Bayesian Econometrics & Regional Economic Analysis
Dr. Terrell’s research focuses on applied Bayesian econometrics and regional economic analysis—modeling labor markets, health-insurance access, and industry impacts across Louisiana. He integrates microdata, statewide surveys, and probabilistic forecasting to guide disaster recovery, workforce strategy, and economic-development policy as director of LSU’s Center for Economics, Business & Policy Research.
Education
Duke University
M.A.
Economics
1988
Duke University
Ph.D.
Economics
1991
Media Appearances
Louisiana’s AI boom reaches far beyond data centers, LSU economist says
Baton Rouge Business Report online
2026-07-15
The headlines have focused on massive data center investments coming to Louisiana, but LSU economist Dek Terrell says that’s only part of the story. The bigger question is how artificial intelligence will reshape the state’s businesses, workforce and communities.
Trump’s reciprocal global tariff’s are in effect
Louisiana Radio Network online
2025-04-06
President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs around the globe have pitted people divided on what it will do to the U.S. economy. LSU economics professor Dek Terrell says the tariffs are attempting to achieve two outcomes: bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. and leveraging a negotiating position with other countries.
Louisiana shipping ports brace for largest worker strike in decades
WWNO online
2024-09-29
Both New Orleans and Baton Rouge ports are a key part of the supply chain for thousands of different goods and services used by Americans....
Products range, but Louisiana’s ports are a key source of the country’s imports of various chemicals, as well as coffee and bananas due to its proximity to Central and South America, said Dek Terrell, director of LSU’s Center for Economics, Business, & Policy Research.
“It won’t be quite as bad as during the pandemic when it was really difficult to get a lot of things,” Terrell said. “But certainly your favorite item, if it turns out to be something that's imported, could be impacted.”
Articles
Is Medicaid misreporting stable over time? Self-reported health insurance coverage of Medicaid recipients in Louisiana, 2007–2017
Health Services and Outcomes Research Methodology2021
This study investigates individual-level misreporting among Medicaid recipients in Louisiana from 2007 to 2017. It explores whether the type of individual who misreports varies over time, including following a major policy shift (the implementation of the Affordable Care Act).
Disasters and health insurance: Evidence from Louisiana
Economic Modelling2023
Natural disasters can have important impacts on an individual’s decision to purchase insurance. The literature primarily focuses on the impact of natural disasters on the decision to buy flood or property insurance policies that would compensate the policyholder during a similar event. This paper explores the impact of a series of disasters (hurricanes and floods) striking the state of Louisiana in the decision to purchase health insurance.
