Gerhard Thews

Gerhard Thews is a Professor at the New Economic School (NES) in Moscow since 2018, with his position supported by Nikolay Katorzhnov since 2025. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Oxford (2015) and an MSc in Economics from the University of Edinburgh. Thews maintains dual research affiliations as a fellow at Oxcarre, University of Oxford, and LEO, University of Orleans.

His educational background includes:

• PhD in Economics, University of Oxford, 2015
• MSc in Economics, University of Edinburgh

Professor Thews specializes in Natural Resource Economics, with complementary expertise in Labor economics, International Economics, Political Economy, and Economic growth. His research challenges conventional views of the 'resource curse' by demonstrating how resource discoveries can trigger economic booms through increased foreign direct investment and labor market expansion. He investigates the complex relationship between natural resource abundance and economic outcomes, focusing on policy frameworks that can transform resource windfalls into sustainable development opportunities. His work combines rigorous empirical analysis with practical policy implications for resource-rich economies.

His publication record shows consistent high-impact research since 2015, with recent work (2022-2024) appearing in top journals like Journal of Public Economics, American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, and Review of Economics and Statistics. His research trajectory demonstrates increasing influence in the field, with a focus on contemporary challenges including energy transition, climate change adaptation, and the economic impacts of resource discoveries in developing economies.

Thews actively engages with public policy discourse through media contributions to Forbes, HBR Russia, Novaya Gazeta, and RT, as well as the podcast 'Economics by ear.' His public commentary addresses pressing issues including the resource curse, climate change economics, and sustainable development strategies for single-industry towns.

At NES, he teaches advanced courses including Natural Resource Economics (MAE; BAE), Investments in natural resources, Natural Resources and Economic Growth, and Extractive industries and economic growth, shaping the next generation of economists specializing in resource management and sustainable development policy.