W. Mark Crain
William E. Simon Professor of Political Economy
Curriculum Vitae
Mark-Crain-CV.pdf
Other Titles
- Chair of Policy Studies
- Advisory committee member
Mark Crain is the William E. Simon Professor of Political Economy and Chair of the Policy Studies Program at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. He currently serves as the President-Elect of the Public Choice Society.
Professor Crain is the author of 125 academic articles and books. With over 5,000 citations to his publications, Research.com named him to its 2025 list of “best scientists in the field of political science.” His research covers a wide range of disciplines and topics, including legislative, regulatory, and budgetary processes. Broadly, he specializes in policy and business analytics.
Before moving to Lafayette College in 2004, Professor Crain held faculty positions at Virginia Tech, UCLA, and George Mason University. During the Reagan Administration, he was assistant to the Director of the US Office of Management and Budget.