Dr. Duncan Thomas

Biography

Duncan Thomas is the Norb F. Schaefer Distinguished Professor of International Studies in Trinity College of Arts and Sciences at Duke University. His research focuses on population health and development, emphasizing empirical evidence in low-resource environments, particularly the role of female empowerment in improving family well-being. He has implemented large-scale randomized interventions in Indonesia to assess the impact of nutrition on economic prosperity. His research has investigated the effects of unanticipated financial shocks on health and well-being across multiple countries, as well as the long-term impacts of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. Thomas has co-directed major longitudinal surveys such as the Indonesia Family Life Survey and the Mexican Family Life Survey. His work has been supported by major institutions including the National Institutes of Health and the World Bank, and published in esteemed journals like the American Economic Review and the Journal of Political Economy. He has served on various boards and editorial positions, reflecting his significant contributions to the fields of economics, public policy, and population studies.

Research Interests