Stergios Skaperdas

Stergios Skaperdas is a Professor of Economics and holder of the Clifford S. Heinz Chair at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). He directs the Center for Global Peace and Conflict Studies, a research center focused on understanding the economic dimensions of peace and conflict. His academic career is centered at UCI, where he has held leadership roles in both academic and research capacities.

His research interests span the economics of conflict, peace studies, political economy, and public choice theory. He has contributed significantly to understanding how conflict arises, its economic consequences, and mechanisms for peacebuilding. His work often intersects with international trade, governance structures, and the role of norms in shaping political and economic outcomes.

In recent years, Skaperdas has published extensively on topics such as external intervention in civil wars, contested political persuasion, and the economic roots of Greek debt crises. His 2017 paper on external intervention highlights the complex interplay between identity, conflict, and state-building. Earlier work, like the 2015 Journal of International Economics paper on trade and insecure resources, explores how conflict risks affect global trade dynamics.

Skaperdas has co-edited major works, including the Oxford Handbook of the Economics of Peace and Conflict (2012), consolidating interdisciplinary insights on conflict economics. His research also addresses governance challenges in post-conflict societies and the role of institutions in fostering economic stability.

His academic contributions are further reflected in his directorship of the Center for Global Peace and Conflict Studies, which bridges theoretical and applied research to address global challenges. Skaperdas’ work underscores the importance of integrating economic analysis with political and social dimensions to achieve sustainable peace and development.