We are passionate about Economics and its role in making sense of the world around us
Economics at Otago has a reputation as one of New Zealand's premier teaching and research departments. We are always keen to share our passion with others. The Department operates an ‘open door’ policy with students, and works to ensure that all our senior students feel included.
Find out about our background, research and teaching, or look up our contact details, below:
HOD, Directors and Advisors
These staff are responsible for the overall coordination of the Department of Economics academic programme.
Head of Department
Director of PhD Programme
Professor Stephen Knowles
Director of Masters' Programmes
Dr Murat Genç
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Associate Professor Alan King
Honours Student Advisor
Dr Murat Genç
Support staff
Our support staff provide reception, administrative and secretarial support to the Department.
Administrator Client Services
Janet Bryant
Assistant Administrator Client Services
Donna Cumberbeach
Academic/ Teaching staff
Our academic and teaching staff are highly regarded internationally for their world-class research.
Find them listed below alphabetically by surname.
Lecturing staff
Dr Neha Agarwal
Development Economics, Economics of Gender
Professor Nathan Berg
Behavioural Economics
Professor David Fielding
Development Economics; Political Economy
Dr Murat Genç
Applied Microeconometrics
Dr Peter Gibbard
Behavioural Economics
Professor Paul Hansen
Health Economics; Decision Analysis
Professor Alfred Haug
Empirical Macroeconomics
Dr Viktoria Kahui
Natural Resource Economics
Associate Professor Alan King
International Macroeconomics
Professor Stephen Knowles
Growth & Development; Experimental Economics
Professor Dorian Owen
Growth & Development; Sports Economics; Applied Econometrics
Dr Arlene Ozanne
Development Economics; Labour Economics
Professor Ronald Peeters
Game theory; Behavioural Economics; Industrial Organisation
Associate Professor Trent Smith
Behavioural Economics; Health Economics; Public Choice; Industrial Organisation
Dr Paul Thorsnes
Urban Economics
Dr Murat Üngör
International Macroeconomics; Trade; Growth & Development
Dr Dennis Wesselbaum
Macroeconomics, Economic Growth, Quantitative Economics, Econometrics, Labour Economics