James Banks

James Banks is Professor of Economics at the University of Manchester and Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS). He holds a BSc from the University of Bristol, an MSc from the London School of Economics, and a PhD from University College London. His research examines individual economic behavior over the life-cycle, with focus areas including consumption patterns, retirement planning, health economics, and wealth inequality.

His work integrates labor economics and public policy analysis to address challenges in aging societies. Research themes include pension systems, workforce participation among older adults, and socioeconomic determinants of health disparities.

Dr. Banks leads major initiatives including co-directing the ESRC Centre for Microeconomic Analysis of Public Policy and serving as Co-Principal Investigator for the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. His policy engagement includes advisory roles with governmental committees and trusteeship at the Nuffield Foundation (2010-2023).