John R. Graham stands as a distinguished figure in the realm of corporate finance, holding the esteemed position of D. Richard Mead, Jr. Family Professor of Finance at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. His profound expertise and impactful research have solidified his reputation as a leading voice in the field. Beyond his professorship, Graham is a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), further highlighting his commitment to rigorous and influential academic work. He has been recognized for his exceptional teaching abilities, having received the Outstanding Faculty and multiple Best Teacher awards at Fuqua, underscoring his dedication to both research and education.
Professor Graham’s academic interests are wide-ranging and deeply relevant to the contemporary financial landscape. His research and teaching encompass core areas such as corporate finance, taxation, and investments, extending to specialized topics like herding behavior in markets and the methodologies for combining and assessing financial forecasts. This breadth of expertise allows him to provide students and the wider academic community with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities within the finance world.
Before joining Duke University, Graham enriched his professional background with experience at the University of Utah and as a Senior Economist at Virginia Power for seven years. This blend of academic and practical experience informs his insightful approach to finance. His influence extends to the highest echelons of academic publishing, having served as co-editor of the prestigious Journal of Finance. He has also held associate editor roles at The Review of Financial Studies, the Journal of Finance, Finance Research Letters, and Financial Management, demonstrating his significant contribution to shaping scholarly discourse in finance.
Graham’s leadership is further evidenced by his presidencies and board directorships within prominent finance organizations, including the American Finance Association, the Western Finance Association, and the Financial Management Association. Currently, he chairs the FMA’s Diversity Scholar mentoring program, dedicated to fostering the next generation of finance professionals, and serves as the academic director of the Duke Fuqua CFO Executive Education program, bridging academic rigor with executive-level practical application.
The extensive body of work produced by John Graham includes over 80 articles and book chapters, delving into critical aspects of corporate finance such as taxes, capital structure, cash management, governance, financial reporting, and payout policy. His research has garnered widespread acclaim, earning him prestigious awards like the Jensen Prize (five times), the Brattle Prize, and the Graham and Dodd Scroll (twice), among others. Notably, his pioneering work on simulated corporate marginal income tax rates and optimal capital structure is an essential component in cost of capital and valuation methodologies used by Kroll (Duff and Phelps), showcasing the real-world impact of his academic contributions.
In addition to his research prowess, Professor Graham is deeply engaged in teaching, focusing on corporate finance, taxation, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate restructuring. Furthermore, since 1997, he has directed The CFO Survey, now a collaborative effort with the Federal Reserve Banks of Richmond and Atlanta. This survey is a vital tool for understanding the perspectives and expectations of financial leaders across the corporate landscape.
For those seeking to connect with Professor Graham or explore his work further, he can be reached at the Fuqua School of Business, Duke University in Durham, NC. His comprehensive Curriculum Vitae and personal website offer additional insights into his distinguished career and ongoing projects, solidifying John Graham’s position as a pivotal figure in finance education and research.
