Can you help shape our future priorities? Take a five minute survey now. Survey closes on 8 July.

Person

Gabriel Palazzo

Gabriel Palazzo

Researcher

I am a development economist from Latin America (Argentina). My research is focused on the field of developmental macroeconomics, natural resources, trade and structural change, focusing primarily on quantitative approaches. I am interested in the interaction between macroeconomic variables and structural change, the role of the real exchange rate on trade, green growth opportunities for developing countries, strategies for development based on natural resources and the resource curse agenda.

My research agenda for the coming years integrates two interconnected themes that address key challenges faced by resource-rich developing countries and the developed countries trying to secure the access to the critical minerals. The first focuses on the surging demand for critical minerals driven by the global energy transition, examining its implications for local populations and how conflict and negotiation influence the technologies employed in resource extraction. Building on insights from one of my recent papers, “Civic Power in Mining Conflicts: barrier or catalyst for a just transition?” and the original database built for that project, I will leverage the growing availability of big data to systematically map global patterns of conflict and cooperation around mining activities. This approach will deepen our understanding of how governance frameworks, institutions and macro policies can foster sustainable and equitable outcomes amidst the complexities of natural resource exploitations.

The second theme explores how macroeconomic shocks, such as commodity price volatility, interact with micro-level dynamics to influence structural transformation in resource-rich economies. Unlike traditional analyses, which often separate these spheres, I aim to bridge the gap by examining how fluctuations in, for example, global commodity markets create heterogeneous impacts across sectors and regions. These shocks can amplify or undermine local efforts to develop new industries, shape labor markets, and affect the adoption of technologies for resource extraction. By connecting macroeconomic phenomena to local interactions, this agenda highlights often-overlooked pathways through which resource dependence, the energy transition and structural change are intertwined and the challenges that resource rich countries will face.

I have extensive teaching experience in macroeconomics, trade and development economics. My PhD thesis was awarded the best thesis of the year in Economics at the University of Buenos Aires and the Prebisch award by the Central Bank of Argentina.

Selected media coverage in Spanish:

Academic Publications:

Research

Project

The Justice Footprint of Mineral Imports in UK Value Chains

The climate crises and energy transition underpin the new European Open Strategic Autonomy Policy, aiming at 'de-risking' trade and reduce dependence on critical minerals, in line with the UK’s Critical Mineral Strategy. Mining is the first link of most global value chains (e.g. electronic...

Opinions

Publications

Working Paper

Politicisation and the Role of Business in Trade Negotiations

IDS Working Paper 620

The changing geo-political landscape has shifted focus from generalised normative preferences in trade policy towards more realist goals that seek to create the best advantage for a country under given circumstances. Consequently, as trade issues have become linked to polarised debates including...

Amrita Saha
Amrita Saha & 3 others

11 April 2025

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.