Kim Edwards

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Fulbright Postgraduate Scholar

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“While economic theory is useful to a point, markets and institutions rarely function as smoothly or as simplistically as generalised theoretical models assume, and hence the policy implications of such models should be viewed with some caution. Indeed, to be sustainable, economic policy prescriptions need to be carefully tailored to the specific set of circumstances faced by particular countries or communities, and should be responsive to the political and cultural environment in which they are implemented.”

Kim Edwards, Senior Analyst at the Reserve Bank of Australia, is the recipient of a 2008 Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarship. A graduate of the University of New South Wales with a Bachelor of Commerce (First Class Honours) and Bachelor of Arts, Kim will commence a Master in Public Administration/International Development (MPA/ID) at Harvard University in August 2008.

Kim is interested in macroeconomic policy in small open economies, as well as in the extent to which government interventions can provide a platform for growth and development in the longer-term. On his return to Australia he hopes to use his training to pursue these interests further and become more closely involved in the design of sound economic policy, both in Australia and in the Asia-Pacific region.

“I hope to obtain an interdisciplinary training appropriate to the challenges of economic policy-making. The MPA/ID at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government combines rigorous training in economic theory and quantitative methods with exposure to practical policy applications,” according to Kim.

The program will also allow Kim to explore how policy-makers can most effectively engage with an often sceptical public. “The political feasibility of any given policy proposal can be quite separate from its economic credibility, and this can pose challenges for economists who fail to look beyond their economic training…I am looking forward to taking a number of options which will enable me to obtain a deeper understanding of some of the ethical, political, and institutional issues that surround economic policy.”

Kim has been previously recognised for his academic and extra-curricular achievements with a Dean’s Award for Service (2005), Faculty of Commerce and Economics Honours Year Scholarship (2004), Centre for Applied Economic Research Honours Scholarship (2004), University of New South Wales Honours Year Scholarship (2004) and a University of New South Wales Exchange Scholarship (2003).

During the past three years Kim has been involved in analysing International Monetary Fund policy at the Reserve Bank, and has also undertaken a variety of research projects on economic and financial markets issues, including a joint project with economists from Bank Indonesia on exchange rate policy.