Neal joined the economic faculty at Portland State University in the fall of 2023. Prior to coming to PSU he taught at the University of Pittsburgh, Boston University, and the University of Kansas where he was the director of undergraduate studies for about a decade. He holds an undergraduate degree from Swarthmore College and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Pittsburgh.
In his thirty-five years of full time teaching, Neal has taught a wide variety of courses, largely at the undergraduate level. These include core courses like introduction to microeconomics and macroeconomics, intermediate micro- and macroeconomics, and field courses in international economics, public economics, industrial organization, economic development, game theory, and sports economics. He teaches a semi-inverted class where students make use of web-based resources and in class lectures to acquire information and what might traditionally be called homework is often done during the class.
In his time away from teaching, Neal enjoys getting to know his new city and region.