EconomicsHow can economics research help to solve global problems?

Interested in doing research on one of our recommended directions? Apply for our coaching for further guidance.

How can economics research help to solve the world’s most pressing problems?

How can economic models, experiments and tests that inform major decisions be adjusted to reduce bias and more closely reflect reality? Which mechanisms should we design for more optimally allocating resources to make society more resilient and increase flourishing? How can we design economic incentives such that present economic agents’ activities improve the lives of those who will live many decades from now, without sacrificing the welfare of today’s beings?

There are many important questions like these which economists could help answer. More concretely, economics research can affect individual and collective decisions and inform policy-making processes and choices across a broad range of areas. It can help identify tractable and impactful interventions for alleviating poverty or improving institutional decision making; help decision-makers forecast and prepare for disruptive changes caused by global catastrophes, war, or rapid technological progress; and identify the incentive structures that promote continued investment in factory farms, or those that might hinder the adoption of alternative proteins.

The profiles below are on some of the research directions that could be particularly valuable to explore through an economic lens. Some of the most useful research in these directions will likely involve investigating potential structures for the governance of advanced technologies, identifying new global priorities, and testing existing economic metrics. For a thesis or dissertation you will likely need to focus on a narrow question, such as a case study of a particular industry, policy, or population.

One way you could have an impact with your research is therefore by working on a topic that would be informative to other researchers who are trying to develop a better understanding of economic metrics or trends. Our coaches can connect you with researchers who can offer you guidance on choosing a topic.

Resources

Examples of work on some of the research directions we recommend

This post from 80,000 Hours explores why an economics PhD might be the best graduate degree. See also ‘Is an economics PhD still a great deal’ from Noah Smith. You could also join the Econ Grad School Advice Slack if you’re considering whether to do a masters or PhD.

If you’re interested in how economics research can identify valuable reforms and interventions, see the talks ‘From behavioural economics to public policy’ from Cass Sunstein, ‘Estimating long-term effects without long-term data’ from David Rhys Bernard, ‘Using evidence to right poverty’ from Christelle Dumas and the 80,000 Hours interview ‘Using institutional economics to predict effective government reforms’ with Mushtaq Khan.

If you’re interested in exploring how economics can contribute to global priorities research, this talk on ‘Prioritization and Economics’ from Max Dalton explores the potential for economics to provide helpful structure to prioritization research and, in turn, how adopting criteria from prioritization research could help make economics research more robust. You could also look at this post on becoming a global priorities researcher for considerations to take into account if you are interested in pursuing this path.

To explore ways that economists can help us understand the landscape of existential risks, see these posts on the EA Forum on the economics of artificial intelligence. The paper Economic growth under transformative AI is an example of work in this area. See also economists Chris Blattman and Noah Smith on China, Taiwan, and the likelihood of war.

Research agendas and potential sources for research questions

Here are sources from the Effective Altruism community and related organisations that feature questions an economics student could take inspiration from:

Contributors

This profile was first published 5/12/2022. Thanks to Dan Muro for creating this introduction and Brian Jabarian for helpful feedback. All errors remain our own. Learn more about how we create our profiles.

Explore our recommended research directions relating to economics

Alternative proteins research and development

The consumption of animal products causes suffering to billions of animals each year. Alternatives could shift consumer demand away from animal products.

Applied mental health research

It’s estimated that around 10% of the population suffers from diagnosable mental health conditions, with most of them not receiving treatment.

Behavioural and attitudinal change in animal products consumption

How do attitudes towards animals affect animal product consumption and what interventions are effective in decreasing it?

Farmed animal welfare

Animal agriculture causes suffering to billions of animals each year. How can we improve welfare standards as much as possible?

Forecasting the long-term future

To reliably improve the longterm future, we must address the challenge of predicting the longterm impact of our actions

Global priorities research

There are many neglected, foundational uncertainties about what it means to improve the world and what actions we should take to do so

Governance of artificial intelligence

AI could radically transform the world, for better or worse. How can AI governance mitigate the risks and increase the chance it contributes to humanity's flourishing?

Great power coordination

How can we coordinate action between the Great Powers to address existential and global catastrophic risks?

Improving aquatic animal welfare

How can we help the hundreds of billions of aquatic animals that are raised and killed for human consumption every year?

Improving health and wellbeing metrics

Current health and wellbeing metrics have many shortcomings, leading to misallocation of resources. Developing the 'WELBY' could help.

Improving institutional decision-making

Large institutions have vast resources and capacity to help solve global problems. How can we improve their decision-making processes?

Improving pandemic governance

Pandemics pose a humanitarian crisis that could even threaten humanity’s future. How can governments prepare for future pandemics?

Longtermism

Is improving the far future one of the key moral priorities of our time? If it is, how should this influence our actions?

Most important historical trends

A better understanding of historical trends and what they tell us about humanity's trajectory could inform efforts to improve and prepare for the future

Preventing great power conflict

Great power war could pose an existential risk, while a breakdown in cooperation could undermine vital coordination on many global problems. How can we reduce the risk of conflict?

Progress studies

Advances in science, technology, institutions and culture have caused huge improvements in standards of living. How can we increase the rate of progress?

Reducing physical pain

Hundreds of millions of people live with chronic pain and other intensely painful conditions. What are the most urgent conditions where progress could be made?

Resilient foods research

How would we feed everyone in the event of a global catastrophe, such as the sun being blocked during a nuclear winter or significant disruption to electricity or industry?

Space governance

Outer space is an increasingly valuable resource and may one day be permanently settled. How can its use be safe, sustainable and contribute to a flourishing future?

Where next?

Keep exploring our other services and content

Your research career can change the world

Doing well-targeted, excellent research can not only result in you having a successful research career, but save lives and positively shape the future.

Explore all our services

Learn about all the services we offer to help you have more impact with your research career.

Apply for coaching

Want to work on one of our research directions? Apply for coaching to receive personalised guidance.

Our recommended research directions

Explore areas where we think further research could have a particularly positive impact on the world.