Matthew Cole

Professor Matthew Cole is a Professor of Environmental Economics and Deputy Dean of Birmingham Business School at the University of Birmingham. He is affiliated with the Department of Economics and has established himself as a leading researcher in environmental economics with over 60 published articles and more than 12,500 career citations on Google Scholar.

• BA(Hons) Economics, Nottingham
• MA Economics, Nottingham
• PhD Economics, Nottingham

Professor Cole's research interests lie at the intersection of Environmental Economics, Development Economics and International Economics. His work focuses on pollution offshoring, pollution and health, the economics of biodiversity, environmental inequality, and the economic integration of migrants. He employs advanced methodologies including machine learning and synthetic control approaches to analyze environmental policy impacts.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on the relationship between air pollution and health outcomes, environmental policy evaluation in China and the UK, and the economic implications of migration. Cole frequently collaborates with researchers across disciplines, particularly in environmental science and public health, to address complex environmental challenges using rigorous economic analysis.

• Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences
• Fellow of the ESRC Peer Review College

Professor Cole serves as Co-Editor of the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, one of the leading international journals in his field. He teaches Sustainable Development (ECON110B) and Environmental Economics (ECONG46D) at the University of Birmingham. His research has significant policy implications for air quality management, climate change mitigation, and sustainable development strategies.

Through his work on pollution offshoring and environmental inequality, Professor Cole contributes to understanding how environmental burdens are distributed across countries and social groups, providing evidence that informs more equitable environmental policies globally.