Teaching
Upcoming teaching: Instructor for 115A Economic Development in Spring 2026 (UC Davis, undergraduate)
TA for 115A Economic Development in Winter 2026 (UC Davis, undergraduate)
Course description: The world has become much richer since the 19th Century as many countries have achieved unprecedented rates of economic growth. Yet there remain many poor countries and, even in richer countries, many poor people. This course examines the process of economic development, including the determinants of poverty. We will use economics—primarily microeconomics—to describe and understand the many issues developing countries face and the constraints and motivations that govern the choices of individuals and households in these contexts. We will frequently connect our discussions to specific policy options and to the functioning of government, non-profit, and for-profit entities.
Past teaching: Guest lecture in ARE 176: Environmental Economics on December 3, 2025 (UC Davis, undergraduate)
Course description: Role of the environment in economic activity and methods for protecting and enhancing environmental quality; implications of market failures for public policy; design of environmental policy; theory of welfare measurement; measuring the benefits of environmental improvement. Guest lecture topic: "Measuring the Benefits of Reducing Air Pollution: Evidence from Cricket Players in India"
Instructor: Sara Sutherland, University of California, Davis; Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 2025
Excerpts from student evaluations:
- “I appreciated how this TA taught concepts in a manner that made the material understandable. I like how he used analogies to teach concepts, which made the material more easier to digest.”
- “Matthew was constantly making sure we understood the problem solving process and gave us valuable time to ask questions and engage with the material.”
- “…discussions were very clear and [I] really enjoyed them as they helped me understand the class the best”
- “Helped deepen my understanding of some topics we went over class”
- “Matthew is really clear with the way he explains things”
- “…he is extremely helpful. He would explain everything in depth and wouldn’t move onto the next topic until everyone was on board. I really like his teaching style as well.”
- “I appreciate how discussion was able to teach me specific methods of doing problems which lecture never did.”
