Sam is a macro- and financial economist studying how countries can better manage their natural resource wealth. His research addresses policy-relevant questions on fiscal, monetary, exchange-rate and sovereign wealth fund policy using both theory and empirics.
Sam is an Assistant Professor/Lecturer of Economics at the University of Sydney. He is also affiliated with the Oxford Centre for the Analysis of Resource Rich Economies (OxCarre) and the Centre for Applied Macroeconomic Analysis at ANU (CAMA). Previously Sam was the principal investigator of an ESRC Future Research Leaders grant at the University of Oxford, where he held positions in the Department of Economics and Pembroke College
Sam has advised the World Bank on natural resource policy in Iraq, Libya and Uganda and has also worked with the IMF, the Bank of England, the International Growth Centre, the Australian Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority. In the private sector he has worked with Taylor Fry Actuaries, Westpac Bank and McKinsey and Co.
Sam completed a D.Phil (Ph.D) in Economics (Oxford) in 2014 as a John Monash Scholar, and was awarded the David Walton award for the top candidate in macroeconomics or finance. He also completed an M.Phil in Economics (Oxford) as a Commonwealth Scholar, and a B.Com in Actuarial Studies and Finance (UNSW) as a Co-Op Scholar, graduating with a High Distinction average, the University Medal and the Investec Prize for the top all-round student.