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Faculty feature: Debamanyu Das to teach political economy at the Jackson School

October 22, 2024

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Debamanyu Das

In September 2024, Debamanyu Das, an economist from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with a focus on political economy, environmental policy, economic development, and macroeconomics, joined the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington as Assistant Teaching Professor of Political Economy. The appointment followed an extensive nationwide search for a distinguished expert in Political Economy.

In Winter 2025 Das will teach two Jackson School courses, JSIS B 330, “International Political Economy” on how the global economic system has evolved since 1945, and JSIS B 331, ”Political Economy of Development” which explores how developing nations are growing, how wealth is shared, and what drives economic developments.

We asked Das to share his first impressions being on campus and his passion for research and teaching political economy.  

Jackson School: It’s your first time living here in Seattle. What are you looking forward to?
Debamanyu Das: Every city has its quirks and unique charm, and I’m eager to explore what Seattle has to offer. I look forward to discovering cozy nooks, bookstores, and cafes to get a feel for the city’s essence. I’m also excited to build connections, especially within the UW community, and start making this city feel like home.

Jackson School: Tell us why you are excited to teach at the Jackson School and the University of Washington.
D.D.: During my undergraduate and graduate studies, I developed a deeper understanding that socio-economic issues are best examined through multiple perspectives. UW’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and the expression and development of this approach at the Jackson School, as well as its focus on policy-relevant work strongly appeal to me. This makes it an ideal place for me to grow professionally while pursuing my passion for teaching and love of learning.

Jackson School: Why focus your career in political economy and higher education?
D.D.: The coexistence of poverty and plentitude I witnessed growing up in Calcutta, India, sparked my curiosity about the complex realities of the economy and society. I pursued the study of economics. It is a vast discipline, and I was fortunate to be exposed to various streams of economic thought, especially during my doctoral studies at UMass Amherst. As a graduate student, I also had the opportunity to teach and to experience how much I enjoyed teaching, engaging with students, and working to broaden their perspectives and expand their analytical skills. I chose a career in higher education in political economy with two overall objectives – to better understand economic and political realities and to empower my students with tools to do the same.

Jackson School: Tell us a bit more about your research.
D.D.: You have probably heard the term energy transition – the shift from a high-carbon to a low-carbon economy. This transition relies heavily on the use of critical minerals, such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt, which are found primarily in countries in the Global South. My research focuses on this clean energy transition, especially in regard to these minerals – for instance how they are extracted, who benefits from the critical mineral market, and impacts on the Global South. I examine geopolitical impacts, particularly between the U.S. and China, and I study how more effective industrial policies might ensure a more just global energy transition. Feel free to email me if you are interested in learning more or have collaboration ideas.

Jackson School: How would you summarize “political economy?” Why study it?
D.D.: Political economy examines the connections between economics and politics, revealing how power dynamics influence economic decisions and how these decisions affect different segments of a population. For those pursuing careers in foreign policy or STEM, the study of political economy would provide valuable insights into how economic and political forces shape the world. It’s a foundational perspective that helps explain how policies are made, how resources are allocated, and how economic outcomes affect global stability and development.

Jackson School: A book you recommend reading in your field?
D.D.: If I have to recommend only one, I suggest Robert Heilbroner’s “The Worldly Philosophers: The Lives, Times, and Ideas of the Great Economic Thinkers.” I believe that to understand the complexities of the present, we need to have a look at the past. This book does that job – it explores how various economic thinkers have conceptualized the functioning of the economy across different periods.

Das holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Economics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, a M.Sc. in Economics from Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai, India, and a B.Sc. in Economics from the University of Calcutta, India. He is fluent in Bengali and Hindi and loves singing Rabindra Sangeet at his leisure. You can email him at ddas64@uw.edu. Pronouns: He/Him/His