Anh Ngoc Tran

Anh Ngoc Tran is a Professor at Indiana University's O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, specializing in governance, digital technologies, and institutional economics. He serves as Chair of the Vietnam Initiative—a global expert network advising on Vietnamese development policies—and has led major projects like the $14.2M USAID Partnership for Higher Education Reform (2021–2025).

Education:

• Ph.D. in Public Policy, Harvard University (2009)
• Master in Advanced Economics, University of New South Wales (1999)
• A.B. (with honors) in International Relations, Russian Economic Academy (1994)

Research Focus: Tran investigates how institutions, technology, and human cognition intersect in public/business governance. His work spans development economics, policy innovation, and experimental approaches to reform, with applications in emerging economies.

Publications: Articles in top journals (American Political Science Review, Journal of Public Economics) emphasize empirical field experiments, political decentralization, and incentive structures, often using Vietnam as a policy laboratory.

Awards:

• Outstanding Junior Faculty, Indiana University (2014)
• Teaching Excellence Award, Harvard University (2007–2008)
• UNDP Academic Fellowship
• Asia Foundation's Emerging Leaders Program

Leadership & Grants: Co-founded the International Society of Vietnamese Economists; advises Vietnam's Prime Minister on digital transformation; consults for World Bank/UN; leads USAID higher-education modernization grants.