Sukkoo Kim

Sukkoo Kim is an Associate Professor of Economics at Washington University in St. Louis, specializing in economic history, urban and regional economics, and trade and development. His work emphasizes historical institutional analysis, particularly focusing on U.S. regional economies and the origins of American exceptionalism. He has held a joint appointment with the Department of Global Studies and served as a research associate with the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) from 2000–2014.

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree from Pomona College
  • PhD in Economics from UCLA

Kim’s research explores the interplay between geography, institutions, and economic development. His book manuscript, Creating the American State, argues that understanding American exceptionalism requires examining England’s colonial institutions. He has published extensively on U.S. regional manufacturing trends, urbanization, and the rise of modern business enterprises.

Awards and Grants:

• John M. Olin Foundation Faculty Research Fellowship (1998–1999)
• Washington University Faculty Research Grants (1997, 2005)
• Weidenbaum Center Research Grants (2001, 2005)

Advising and Grants: Kim’s research has been supported by multiple grants, including those from the NBER and WashU. His teaching includes courses on international economics, emphasizing trade theories and policy.

Labs/Teams: Affiliated with the WashU Department of Economics and previously with Global Studies. Collaborates with NBER on historical economic research.