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Thomas McDermott

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Thomas McDermott

DR

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My research interests are at the intersection of the economics of climate change and development economics, with a focus on empirical evaluation of the economic impacts of extreme weather events, such as floods, and on issues of public policy related to the economics of adaptation to climate change.

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Biography

I am the Galway University Foundation Lecturer in the Economics of Climate Change and Development at the J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics at University of Galway, and a founding member of the Centre for Economic Research on Inclusivity and Sustainability (CERIS) at University of Galway. My research is at the intersection of environmental and development economics. In particular, I study the economic and social impacts of extreme weather events such as floods, as well as how societies and economies adapt and respond to changing environmental risk. I have published widely, including in leading economics journals, as well as more generalist science and social science journals. I am also co-editor with Sam Fankhauser of The Economics of Climate Resilient Development (Edward Elgar, 2016). Details of my latest research are available on my website.

I have previously consulted for the World Bank (Investing in Disaster Risk Management in an Uncertain Climate), the Asian Development Bank (Lead Consultant for Strengthening Disaster Resilience, ADO 2019), and the Irish Government (EPA Dept of Climate Action) – including contributing a background paper for Irelands first statutory National Climate Change Adaptation Framework (published in January 2018). My research has also been funded by the Irish EPA, and I am a former IRC Government of Ireland Research Fellow.

I hold a PhD from Trinity College Dublin (Ireland), where I was supervised by Frank Barry and Richard Tol. During the Summer of 2012, I was a PhD research intern at the United Nations University, World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER) in Helsinki. I hold a B.Comm (International with Italian) and an M.Sc. in Economics from the University of Galway, and previously taught economics at Dublin City University and at UCC.

Research Interests

My research interests are at the intersection of the economics of climate change and development economics, with a focus on empirical evaluation of the economic impacts of extreme weather events, such as floods, and on issues of public policy related to the economics of adaptation to climate change.

Teaching Interests

I am the programme director for the MSc Global Environmental Economics.

Related documents

Education/Academic qualification

B.Comm., M.Sc. PhD

Accepting PhD Students

  • Accepting PhD Students

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  1. SDG 1 - No Poverty
    SDG 1 No Poverty
  2. SDG 2 - Zero Hunger
    SDG 2 Zero Hunger
  3. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
  4. SDG 4 - Quality Education
    SDG 4 Quality Education
  5. SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
    SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation
  6. SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
    SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
  7. SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
    SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
  8. SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
    SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
  9. SDG 13 - Climate Action
    SDG 13 Climate Action
  10. SDG 15 - Life on Land
    SDG 15 Life on Land
  11. SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
    SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  12. SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals
    SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals

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  • 2 Membership of board
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