Gabriel Tourek

Gabriel Tourek is an Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Pittsburgh and a Faculty Research Fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). He is affiliated with the Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), Evidence in Governance and Politics (EGAP), and the Behavioral Economics Design Initiative (BEDI). His research focuses on fiscal and state capacity in low-income countries, particularly examining tax systems, bureaucratic effectiveness, and the impact of institutional frameworks on economic growth. He has conducted field experiments in the D.R. Congo, Rwanda, India, and Pakistan, exploring topics such as tax collection efficacy, property rights formalization, and labor market dynamics through online platforms.

Dr. Tourek holds a PhD from Harvard University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at J-PAL’s Digital Identification and Finance Initiative. His work bridges theoretical economic models with practical policy solutions, emphasizing evidence-based approaches to poverty reduction and governance challenges. Notable contributions include studies on optimal tax collector assignments, the role of informal leaders in tax compliance, and leveraging machine learning for property tax administration in weak states.

His research publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches, combining insights from development economics, political economy, and public policy. Key themes include the interplay between taxation and equity, the design of effective bureaucratic systems, and the application of behavioral economics to policy interventions. He has also explored hiring frictions in urban labor markets through experiments in India, underscoring the importance of digital tools in improving economic inclusion.

• Affiliations: NBER, J-PAL, EGAP, BEDI
• Education: PhD in Economics from Harvard University; Postdoctoral work at MIT’s J-PAL
• Geographic Focus: D.R. Congo, Rwanda, India, Pakistan
• Previous Experience: Innovations for Poverty Action, Evidence for Policy Design, World Bank