We are pleased to announce the appointment of François Gerard as TaxDev’s new Research Director. TaxDev is a collaboration between IFS and ODI Global which aims to contribute to more effective tax policymaking in low- and middle-income countries through partnerships with governments and researchers.

François is Professor of Economics at University College London, and brings extensive expertise in public economics and development. His research has made important contributions to our understanding of the impact and design of tax and social protection policies in emerging economies, and has been published in top economics journals such as the American Economic Review, the Journal of Political Economy, the American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, and the Journal of Development Economics.

François is currently leading several large research projects examining the intersection of labour markets, social protection, and taxation in Ethiopia and Brazil. As Research Director for TaxDev, François will lead the programme's research agenda, further strengthen partnerships with policymakers and researchers, and ensure that TaxDev continues to combine rigorous academic research with policy impact.

François Gerard, TaxDev Research Director, said:

“I am delighted to join TaxDev and to lead its research agenda on tax and social protection policies in low- and middle-income countries, building on the excellent work of my predecessor, Anne Brockmeyer. I look forward to collaborating with the talented team at TaxDev, as well as our partners in academia and government. Together, we can help to ensure that rigorous evidence-based insights inform policy in ways that improve people’s lives.”

Imran Rasul, IFS Research Director, said:

“We are delighted to have François joining TaxDev as its new Research Director. François is one of the leading economists working at the intersection of public and development economics, and brings a wealth of expertise in the design of tax and benefit policies in low- and middle-income settings. I very much look forward to working with him and the TaxDev team on their agenda.”

TaxDev is a collaboration between IFS and ODI Global, and is funded by the UK Government Public Finance Centre of Expertise as part of UK International Development.