Hello! My name is Bao Nguyen. I am an Assistant Scientist (Agricultural/Environmental Economist) at the International Rice Research Institute. I previously worked as a Research Fellow at Ubon Ratchathani University in Thailand under the Mekong Thought Leadership and Think Tanks Program. I also worked as a Research Intern at the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development in Switzerland.
I received my PhD in Public Policy (Economics) and M.A. in Development Policy from the Korea Development Institute (KDI) School of Public Policy and Management.
My research examines how policies, institutions, and development interventions influence economic, social, and environmental outcomes. Broadly, I work at the intersection of development economics, environmental economics, and public policy. Within this agenda, I pursue projects in three interconnected areas: (1) climate change mitigation and adaptation in agriculture, particularly the economics of low-emission rice production systems; (2) poverty, inequality, and rural development, with a focus on how public policies, governance, and investment shape household welfare; and (3) program evaluation and applied development policy, including education, labor markets, and social development.
My work combines household surveys, impact evaluation methods, behavioral approaches, economic modeling, and policy analysis. Geographically, I focus primarily on Southeast Asia, especially Vietnam and the Mekong Region, while engaging broader debates in agricultural development, sustainability transitions, and public policy.
My research has been published in International Review of Economics & Finance, PoLAR: Political and Legal Anthropology Review, Journal of Economic Integration, Journal of Population and Social Studies, Cogent Education, and other peer-reviewed journals.
I am always open to discussing my work or exploring your research interests. Here are my Scopus and Web of Science. Please contact me at baonguyen@kdis.ac.kr or connect with me on LinkedIn.
Thank you for visiting!
Bao Nguyen, PhD 