Nathan Nunn is a Professor at the Vancouver School of Economics at the University of British Columbia. He holds a Canada Research Chair in cultural economics and is affiliated with multiple prestigious research organizations including the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), and BREAD. His office is located in the Iona Building 172 at UBC. Professor Nunn's primary research interests span political economy, economic history, economic development, cultural economics, and international trade. His work focuses on the historical and dynamic processes of economic development, particularly examining how institutions and cultures evolve across societies. He has published extensively on historical factors crucial for economic development, including distrust, gender norms, religiosity, conflict, immigration, state formation, and support for democracy. His contemporary research examines the effects of Fair Trade certification, CIA interventions during the Cold War, foreign aid, school construction, climate shocks, and trade policies, with particular emphasis on how local context influences development policy effectiveness. Nunn's recent publications reveal a strong focus on the relationship between culture, institutions, and economic outcomes. His work increasingly examines how zero-sum thinking affects economic behavior and political divides, the persistence of traditional religious beliefs in Africa, and the historical roots of contemporary economic phenomena. His publications frequently appear in top economics journals including the Quarterly Journal of Economics, Econometrica, American Economic Review, and Science. His scientific contributions have been recognized through fellowships and editorial positions, including serving as an editor at the Quarterly Journal of Economics. He has advised numerous PhD students who have gone on to faculty positions at leading universities worldwide. Professor Nunn actively disseminates his research through various media channels, including podcasts, online courses, and public lectures. His teaching includes courses on economic history, development economics, and political economy, with a particular focus on how historical perspectives inform contemporary economic issues.











