Welcome to my homepage!

I am a Senior Lecturer in Economics at Deakin University. I obtained my Ph.D. in Economics from Syracuse University, New York, USA, in 2005. Previously, I earned my M.A. in International Relations from Laval University, Québec, Canada, and my B.A. in International Relations from the Institute for International Relations, Hanoi, Vietnam, now known as the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam. Between May 2005 and March 2008, I worked as a Consultant for the World Bank's Development Research Group in Washington, D.C., USA. I also served as a Lecturer in the Department of International Economics at the Institute for International Relations from 1991 to 1999. Since 2008, I have been with the Department of Economics at Deakin University in Victoria, Australia.

I am an applied economist. In this era of data explosion, with 90% of the world's data being generated in the last five years, I strongly believe that applied economists can significantly contribute to better understanding the world through their research. While economic theories are essential for guiding empirical work, there is no one-size-fits-all theoretical model. I also believe that economists benefit greatly from collaborating with social scientists, political scientists, historians, legal scholars, and international relations experts.

My research interests include empirical international trade, health economics, international political economy, economic development, and international relations. Specifically, my work has covered topics such as the gravity model, determinants of product specialization, the relationship between trade, development and poverty, the effects of terrorism on international trade in goods and services, the role of networks in international trade, determinants of arms trade, the arms sales of top arms-producing companies, the impact of China on global trade patterns in high-tech products, the export impact of U.S. farm subsidies on state exports, the U.S.-China trade war and its effects on U.S. imports of iron, steel, and aluminum, China's retaliatory tariffs and their impact on U.S. agricultural exports, determinants of the COVID-19 pandemic, effects of COVID-19 vaccination, and determinants of trade in freight insurance services. I am also interested in topics related to other Asian economies such as China, India, Japan, South Korea, ASEAN economies, and Vietnam.

I look forward to sharing my research and extending my network with colleagues around the world. Should you have any questions or comments about my research, please feel free to email me at cong.pham@deakin.edu.au.

Sincerely,
Dr. Cong S. Pham
Senior Lecturer in Economics
Department of Economics
Deakin Graduate School of Business
Deakin University, Victoria, Australia