Dr James Forder has been appointed Academic and Research Director of the Institute of Economic Affairs.
The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) is a think-tank which aims ‘to improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems, and it seeks to provide analysis in order to improve the public understanding of economics’. Amongst its authors have been 13 winners of the Nobel Memorial Prize in economics.
Dr Forder is Andrew Graham Fellow and Tutor in Political Economy at Balliol and he will hold this appointment alongside that role. He has been a Fellow of Balliol since 1997; he has been Tutor for Undergraduate Admissions, Tutor for Graduate Admissions, and Vice-Master (2012−2019), and he was Vicegerent for a term in 2018. He was Senior Proctor for the year 2007–2008. His principal research interests have been in central bank independence and mid-20th-century history of macroeconomic ideas. He has also written a book in defence of the first-past-the-post electoral system.
Commenting on his appointment, Dr Forder said, ‘For decades now the IEA has been a source of invaluable and transformative policy ideas. I am delighted to have this opportunity to work to maintain that tradition that whilst continuing as a tutor of our brilliant students.’
Mark Littlewood (Balliol 1990), the IEA’s Director General, said: ‘I am thrilled that James is joining the IEA as our new Academic and Research Director. He brings a wealth of expertise, talent and experience and is a superb addition to the Institute’s team. It is also a great pleasure for me to welcome someone from my old Oxford college. I am enormously fond and proud of my alma mater, which produces people of real talent and diverse opinions.’
Neil Record (Balliol 1972), Chairman of the IEA Board of Trustees, said: ‘I have known James for several years, and he has always impressed me as someone with tremendous intellectual power, and great insight into the supremely complex world that is modern economics.’