Ashton W. Merck

I wrote my dissertation on business self-regulation in food safety and its implications on international trade. Through a case study of meat and poultry inspection, I explore how U.S. policymakers negotiated difficult tradeoffs in food safety from the 1950s to the 2000s.  As a business historian, I pay close attention to the role of firms and trade associations in shaping domestic policy and, increasingly, the role of multinational corporations in setting norms through private standards. More generally, I am interested in the intersection of business, law, and public policy. My research is also informed by the literature on comparative risk regulation, especially in issues of health and safety. I hold a Ph.D. from Duke University and a B.A. in History from the University of Georgia.