Group overview

The Macro and International Economics research group is primarily concerned with four (4) broad topics: 

1. The effects and optimal design of fiscal and monetary policies.
2. The relations between historical and institutional factors as well as economic growth and development.
3. The effects of economic integration, causes and consequences of trade between countries/territories, firm international trade activities, determinants of productivity as well as impacts of trade policies.
4. Tourist behaviour, tourism demand and supply, sustainable tourism, determinants of bilateral tourism flows, and tourism development.

Group members 

Dr Wing Leong TEO

Most of Wing Leong’s research involves the use of Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) models to evaluate the nature of business cycles, inflation dynamics, asset price dynamics, as well as the optimal design of monetary and fiscal policies in both closed economy and open economy settings. Wing Leong also evaluates how international trade affects economic growth and development. 

Subfields: Monetary Economics and International Finance. 

Dr Luke Okafor  

Dr Luke Okafor’s research focuses on the intersection of international trade, digital transformation, tourism economics, development process, energy economics, education economics, and industrial organisation with a specific focus on how firms and industries respond to globalisation and shocks. He also investigates the links between energy poverty and socio-economic outcomes, climate change and growth, renewable energy, and socio-economic outcomes as well as COVID-19 effects on firms, industries, and economies. 

Subfields: International Economics, Tourism Economics, Energy Economics, Industrial Economics, Applied Economics, and Education Economics

Dr Mahmood Ur-Rahman

Mahmood is interested in a wide range of topics such as macroeconomics, international economics, development economics, monetary economics, energy economics, and financial economics. So far, he has focused particularly on issues that relate to macroeconomic policy effectiveness, macroeconomic response to positive and negative shocks, influence of financial development on economic growth and development, and how financial literacy contributes to this process. Recently, considering the significance of energy transition, he is concentrating more on energy economics-related topics like government intervention and policies to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption, the role of technological innovation, and economic incentives in energy transition, etc.

Subfields: Financial Economics, Development Economics, Monetary Economics, International Economics, Energy Economics.

Group overview

The Energy and Sustainability research group supports sustainable development through research output and pedagogy as well as numerous collaborations with external academic institutions, policy makers, non-governmental organisations, and industry. The research group primarily focuses on three core themes: 

1. Energy and emissions modelling as well as natural resources economics.
2. Social, economic, and policy aspects of environmental management. 
3. Cleaner production, efficiency, and sustainability.
4. Energy poverty and socio-economic outcomes

Group members 

Dr Luke Okafor  

Dr Luke Okafor’s research focuses on the intersection of international trade, digital transformation, tourism economics, development process, energy economics, education economics, and industrial organisation with a specific focus on how firms and industries respond to globalisation and shocks. He also investigates the links between energy poverty and socio-economic outcomes, climate change and growth, renewable energy, and socio-economic outcomes as well as COVID-19 effects on firms, industries, and economies. 

Subfields: International Economics, Tourism Economics, Energy Economics, Industrial Economics, Applied Economics, and Education Economics

Dr Mahmood Ur-Rahman

Mahmood is interested in a wide range of topics such as macroeconomics, international economics, development economics, monetary economics, energy economics, and financial economics. So far, he has focused particularly on issues that relate to macroeconomic policy effectiveness, macroeconomic response to positive and negative shocks, influence of financial development on economic growth and development, and how financial literacy contributes to this process. Recently, considering the significance of energy transition, he is concentrating more on energy economics-related topics like government intervention and policies to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption, the role of technological innovation, and economic incentives in energy transition, etc.

Subfields: Financial Economics, Development Economics, Monetary Economics, International Economics, Energy Economics.

Group overview

The Development and Labour Economics research group is primarily concerned with four (4) broad topics:  

1. The role of both microeconomic and macroeconomic factors in improving economic and social outcomes in developing countries. 
2. The role of decisions by households, firms, and governments, the effects of development policies, and the consequences of rising income in developing countries.
3. The distributional outcomes of earnings and employment among households and individuals due to labour market shocks and policy responses.
4. The structural transformation of occupations and worker tasks due to automation and other advances in digital technologies. 

Group members 

Dr Siew Yee Lau

Siew Yee’s research focuses on both micro and macro development topics, intricately linked with various other economic fields. She examines how social programmes, personal attributes, behaviour, and government policies affect different units within the economy. Her recent work is on topics related to microfinance, healthcare costs, and the behavioural aspects of risk assessment. Looking ahead, she is interested to delve into issues related to smallholder farming, tax compliance, and the elderly population in developing countries.

Subfields: Development Economics, Applied Microeconomics, Behavioural Economics   

Dr. Rasyad Parinduri

Rasyad does research in labour economics, industrial organisation, and development economics using applied micro-econometrics: He examines how policies and market changes affect development, competition, labour outcomes, and trade. In a working paper, for example, he investigates whether having English as the medium of instruction affects labour outcomes later in life. In another, he examines whether land tenure security improves farmers' productivity.

Subfields: Labour Economics and Industrial Organisation

Dr. Saizi Xiao

Saizi’s research pursuits span a diverse range of topics within the field of economics, encompassing development economics (e.g. temporary basic income, industry sustainability), labor market dynamics (e.g. returns to education), and gender studies (e.g. gender inequality) related themes within the context of East Asia and Southeast Asia. Her expertise extends to intricate analyses of micro-level economic patterns, utilizing advanced econometric techniques. Additionally, she explores the transformative impact of the digital economy on various socioeconomic aspects such as individual’s consumption behavior and financial wellbeing.  

Subfields: Development Economics, Labor Economics, Digital Economy 

Dr Mahmood Ur-Rahman

Mahmood is interested in a wide range of topics such as macroeconomics, international economics, development economics, monetary economics, energy economics, and financial economics. So far, he has focused particularly on issues that relate to macroeconomic policy effectiveness, macroeconomic response to positive and negative shocks, influence of financial development on economic growth and development, and how financial literacy contributes to this process. Recently, considering the significance of energy transition, he is concentrating more on energy economics-related topics like government intervention and policies to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption, the role of technological innovation, and economic incentives in energy transition, etc.

Subfields: Financial Economics, Development Economics, Monetary Economics, International Economics, Energy Economics.

Pek Kim Ng

Pek Kim is interested in understanding the relationship between the mind-body connection and its impact on mental health and overall well-being. She is particularly curious about how psychological and emotional states influence decision-making, productivity, and broader economic outcomes.

As she develops her research skills, she is exploring interdisciplinary approaches that bridge economics, behavioural science, and health studies. She is eager to investigate the role of mindfulness, stress management, and holistic wellness in shaping labour markets, financial choices, and socioeconomic stability.

Subfields: Behavioural Economics, Health Economics, Development Economics.