Professional Bio

Michael D. Goodman, PhD, is Professor of Public Policy at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. An economic sociologist and policy analyst, his research focuses on economic development, regional competitiveness, and public policy in Massachusetts and New England.

Professor Goodman is widely recognized as a trusted source of independent analysis for policymakers, the media, and civic leaders. He has served as principal investigator on more than $14 million in external grants and contracts and has authored or co-authored over sixty professional publications.

From 2020 to 2025, Dr. Goodman served in senior leadership roles at UMass Dartmouth, including Acting Provost, Senior Advisor to the Chancellor, and Executive Director of Economic Development and Community Partnerships. In these roles he oversaw academic operations, led major strategic initiatives, and advanced the university’s Blue Economy partnerships linking research, industry, and government.

Professor Goodman previously served as UMass Dartmouth’s Faculty Senate President, Chair of the Department of Public Policy, and Executive Director of the Public Policy Center.  Prior to joining UMass Dartmouth, he served for eight years as the Director of Economic & Public Policy Research at the UMass Donahue Institute.  

Since 2001, he has served as an Editor of MassBenchmarks, the journal of the Massachusetts economy published by the UMass Donahue Institute in cooperation with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.