Ellen McCullough is an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at the University of Georgia. She received her Ph.D. in Applied Economics and Management from Cornell University and her B.S. in Earth Systems from Stanford University. Her research examines how households in low-income countries make decisions about food, agriculture, labor, and health, and how those decisions respond to changing economic conditions and public policy. Using field experiments, household surveys, and applied microeconomic methods, she studies topics including agricultural productivity, food systems transformation, nutrition, gender, and unpaid care work, with much of her research conducted in sub-Saharan Africa. Her work seeks to generate evidence that helps governments, international organizations, and development practitioners design more effective policies to improve livelihoods, food security, and well-being.

At the University of Georgia, McCullough teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in development economics, global food systems, and agricultural development. She is committed to preparing students for careers in research, policy, and international development by integrating professional development, applied research experiences, and close faculty mentorship into her courses. Through her teaching and advising, she encourages students to use economic thinking and rigorous evidence to address some of the world's most pressing challenges in agriculture, food security, and sustainable development.