David Smerdon

Dr David Smerdon is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Economics at The University of Queensland. His dual affiliation includes membership in the Centre for Behavioural and Economic Science. He holds a PhD from the University of Amsterdam and Tinbergen Institute, with postdoctoral research at Bocconi University as a Marie Curie Fellow. Prior to academia, he worked as a policy analyst in the Australian Treasury.

His research focuses on behavioral and development economics, addressing topics such as social norms, refugee integration, income inequality impacts, and cognitive performance dynamics. Notable projects include studies on gig economy discrimination, mask effects on cognition, and harmful norms in Somalia. He collaborates with organizations like FIDE (World Chess Federation) and US AID, combining his expertise in economics with chess grandmaster credentials.

Key educational milestones include a dual Bachelor’s in Science/Commerce (University of Melbourne), MPhil in Economics (Tinbergen Institute), and PhD (University of Amsterdam). Awards include the prestigious General Sir John Monash Scholarship and Marie Curie Fellowship.

Teaching includes undergraduate and postgraduate courses in economics, with notable ratings. Grants include AU$21,500 for behavioral macroeconomics research and AU$5,000 for decision-making studies. His chess-related research explores gender inequality in chess performance and anti-cheating mechanisms.

Awards and recognitions highlight his interdisciplinary contributions, including contributions to policy-relevant research through grants and collaborations with NGOs and tech firms like Chess.com.