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Staff Profile

Dr Melanie Parravano Baro

Lecturer in Economics

Background

I am a Lecturer in Economics at Newcastle University Business School, specialising in experimental and behavioural economics. My work explores decision-making processes, coordination problems, and economic behaviour under uncertainty, with a focus on how incentives, social norms, and institutions shape outcomes. I teach undergraduate and postgraduate modules, including Economic Applications and Experimental Methods in Economics, and serve as the academic selector for undergraduate programmes in Economics, overseeing the admissions process.

I hold a PhD in Empirical Economics and MSc in Economics from the Universidad de Granada and previously worked as a Senior Research Associate in Health and Behaviour at the University of East Anglia where I contributed to interdisciplinary research projects. I am a member of the Economic Science Association (ESA) and the Behavioural and Experimental Northeast Cluster (BENC). Fluent in Spanish and English, I also have basic proficiency in French and Italian, enabling me to engage with diverse academic communities and collaborate on international research projects.

Research

My research is in the field of experimental and behavioural economics. My research examines coordination problems, economic behaviour under uncertainty, as well as consumer behaviour with a focus on how incentives, social norms, and institutions shape outcomes.

Using experimental methods, I study topics such as financial stability and policy interventions aiming to inform evidence-based solutions to complex economic challenges. I have published in international academic journals such as the Journal of Money, Credit, and Banking, Games and Economic Behavior, and Experimental Economics.

Teaching

I currently teach undergraduate and postgraduate modules, including Experimental Methods in Economics,  Microeconomic Theory and Economic Applications which emphasises the application of economic theories to real-world issues. My teaching philosophy integrates rigorous analytical tools with practical applications, aiming to equip students with the skills needed to critically assess and address complex economic problems. 

Publications