David F. Merriman, an economist in the Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA), has been appointed Head of the Department of Economics at the University of Illinois at Chicago. His appointment is effective Aug. 16.

Merriman has been part of IGPA since 1996, while serving on the faculty at Loyola University Chicago. After 20 years at Loyola, he joined the faculty at UIC in 2007 as professor of public administration in the College of Urban Planning and Public Administration.

At IGPA, Merriman has been instrumental in the development of the “Fiscal Futures Project,” which is creating a forecasting model of the Illinois state budget. He was a contributor to The Illinois Report 2008 and has been a frequent commentator for news media on the nation’s economic downturn.

“David Merriman is a very talented economist and UIC is very fortunate to have him serve as Head of the Department of Economics,” said Robert F. Rich, Director of IGPA. “We look forward to our continued association with David.”

Merriman will retain his affiliation with IGPA during his tenure as Head of the Economics Department.