Dean's research deals with the economic problems of developing countries, in the following areas:

International migration-- How do households use the earnings of migrant members? Why do migrants return to poor countries? Do remittances serve as insurance? Can innovative financial products stimulate remittances and channel them to more productive uses?

Microfinance-- How does providing weather insurance to farmers alter their risk-taking decisions? What is the impact of biometric identification of borrowers on loan repayment? How do formal credit and savings facilities affect farm input use, income, and general well-being among rural households?

Disasters and risk-- What are the economic effects of disasters? How well are disaster losses buffered by international financial flows, such as foreign aid, migrants' remittances, and FDI?

Human capital-- How does windfall income affect household educational investment and child labor? How do health shocks early in life affect educational attainment and socioeconomic status in adulthood?

International trade-- Does exporting improve firm performance?

Crime and corruption-- Can monitoring by private firms help governments fight corruption?