Dr. James W. Hughes is a University Professor (who reports directly to the chief academic officer of Rutgers University), a Distinguished Professor of Planning, and the Dean Emeritus of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers. He is also the Director of the Rutgers Regional Report, which has produced over 42 major economic, demographic, and real estate studies.

He is a nationally-recognized academic expert on demographics, housing, and regional economics. He is author or co-author of 34 books and monographs and more than 150 articles. Among his books are The Atlantic City Gamble, published by the Harvard University Press, and New Jersey's Postsuburban Economy, published by the Rutgers University Press. He was also a contributing editor to the magazine American Demographics for 14 years.

Dean Hughes has provided extensive budgetary and economic testimony before many New Jersey State Legislative and Executive committees, and has provided numerous policy briefings both in Washington and Trenton on demographics, housing and the economy. He has served on numerous commissions and task forces, including NJ Governor’s Commission on Jobs, Growth and Economic Development, the Economic Advisors Board of the Council of the City of New York, the NJ Governor’s World Class Economy Task Force, and the NJ Governor’s Property Tax Commission. Dean Hughes was previously on the corporate boards of the E’Town Corporation and the Cali Real Estate Investment Trust, and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Cooperative Housing Foundation in Washington, D.C.

Dean Hughes is a military veteran who served as an artillery officer in the U.S. Army.