Spring 2020 came with a lot of unexpected changes for both faculty and students due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Teaching plans were completely altered and everyone had to adapt to this new normal quickly. We are very thankful for all the faculty and their abilities to continue to bring quality education to our students during this trying time–but want to give a big congratulations to Simon Board–the winner of the Warren C. Scoville Distinguished Teaching Award for best undergraduate teaching in Spring 2020.

Simon Board won this award while teaching ECON 106T–The Economics of E-Commerce and Technology. This class analyzes the economics of e-commerce and technology. It identifies the critical features that differentiate the technology firms from traditional industries, and examine the implications for business strategy. The class discusses topics such network effects, switching costs, and platform markets. To complement the economic theory, they students also participate in case studies from various firms every week. Topics include bidding in online auctions, two-sided markets, matching markets and reputation mechanisms.

Warren C. Scoville was a faculty member for the UCLA Department of Economics for 28 years before his death in 1969.  This award is given quarterly in his name to the ladder faculty member who receives the highest teaching evaluation scores from his or her course.