Robin Burgess

Robin Burgess is Professor of Economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), where he also serves as Co-Founder and Director of the International Growth Centre (IGC), Director of the Economics of Environment and Energy (EEE) Research Programme, and Co-Director of the Coase Project on the Economics of Climate, Energy and Environment. His academic leadership extends to directing the Economic Organisation and Public Policy Programme at LSE and serving as Program Director of the Development Economics Program at the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR).

• BSc in Biological Sciences from Edinburgh University
• MSc in Economics from LSE
• PhD in Economics from Oxford University

Professor Burgess's research focuses on the intersection of development economics, environmental economics, and political economy. His work examines poverty traps, climate change adaptation, and institutional effectiveness in developing countries. With fieldwork spanning Bangladesh, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Myanmar, Pakistan, South Korea and Uganda, his research addresses critical questions about why people stay poor, how electrification affects economic development, and the political economy of environmental issues like deforestation. His approach combines rigorous theoretical frameworks with innovative empirical methods, including large-scale field experiments and satellite data analysis.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on climate change adaptation, poverty alleviation, and energy access in developing countries. The research shows an increasing emphasis on environmental economics alongside his longstanding work in development economics, reflecting the growing recognition of climate change as a critical development challenge. His work often employs innovative methodologies including randomized controlled trials, satellite data analysis, and large-scale field experiments.

• Fellow of the British Academy
• Fellow of the Econometric Society (elected 2023)
• ERC Advanced Grant recipient

Professor Burgess leads multiple major research initiatives including the International Growth Centre which works across 15+ countries, the Economics of Environment and Energy Research Programme, and the Coase Project on Climate, Energy and Environment. He has secured substantial research funding for projects examining electrification, poverty reduction, climate adaptation, and institutional development across the Global South. His work has influenced policy discussions through engagements with governments, international organizations, and think tanks.

He directs the Economics of Environment and Energy Research Programme at LSE, which organizes Environment Week and Environment Camp to foster interdisciplinary research on environmental issues. He also co-directs the Coase Project on the Economics of Climate, Energy and Environment with Michael Greenstone and founded the Microeconomics of Growth Research Network, creating platforms for collaboration among researchers working at the intersection of development and environmental challenges.