Tom McDermott
Tom was a researcher with the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment from September 2012 until December 2014. His research primarily focused on the relationship between climate and economic development. Tom went on to work as a lecturer in economics at NUI Galway.
Background
Tom holds a PhD from the School of Business, Trinity College Dublin (Ireland), where he was supervised by Frank Barry and Richard Tol, and an M.Sc. in Economics from the National University of Ireland, Galway. He has also been a visiting researcher at the United Nations University, World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER), in Helsinki. He was previously employed as a full time economics lecturer at Dublin City University.
Research interests
- The economics of natural disasters;
- Comparative economic development and the spatial distribution of income;
- Issues of equity in relation to climate change policy;
- Decision-making under uncertainty;
- The evolution of economic behaviours such as cooperation.
Research
Research - 2018
This papers investigates the process of translating climate risk data into action for the city level. Read more
Research - 2017
This paper looks at adaptation to climate change from the point of view of (poor) households. Since the development literature... Read more
Research - 2016
Some climate change is now inevitable and strategies to adapt to these changes are quickly developing. The question is particularly... Read more
Paper demonstrates the potential benefits of model confirmation exercises for policy applications, demonstrating that the economic growth model used by a prominent BC-IAM had little predictive power over the 20th century. Read more
The links among climate change, economic growth and economic development have gained increasing attention over recent years in both the... Read more
Research - 2015
Does economic activity relocate away from areas that are at high risk of recurring shocks? We examine this question in... Read more
This paper looks at adaptation from the point of view of households. It asks how political and economic institutions may help or hinder adaptation decisions. Read more
This paper reviews the potential effects of climate change on the prospects for long-run economic development. Produced as part of the Pathways to Resilience in Semi-arid Economies project. Read more
Research - 2014
This paper analyses the link between income and adaptation to climate events theoretically and empirically. Read more
Research - 2013
Using a simple two-period model of the economy, we demonstrate the potential effects of natural disasters on economic growth over the medium to long term. In particular, we focus on the effect of such shocks on investment. Read more
Understanding the adaptation deficit: why are poor countries more vulnerable to climate events than rich countries? Read more
Working Paper 130 Abstract In this paper, I revisit the controversy over the fundamental sources of comparative development. In contrast... Read more
Research - 2012
Abstract In this paper, I replicate the analysis in Acemoglu et al. (2001). These authors famously show that institutions are... Read more
Reference McDermott, T.K.J. July 2012. Media disasters? Newspaper coverage and the distribution of humanitarian aid. Work in progress. Read more
Abstract This paper tests the implications of the model developed by Acemoglu and Zilibotti [Daron Acemoglu and Fabrizio Zilibotti, 1997.... Read more
Abstract In this paper I investigate the effects of disasters on human capital accumulation using an extensive panel dataset on... Read more
Abstract Financial crises and contagion have highlighted the need for safe haven assets. However, their existence, role and interactions are... Read more
Research - 2011
Abstract In this essay I discuss the role of cooperation in the process of innovation. I argue for a reorientation... Read more
Reference McDermott, T.K.J. 2011. On natural disasters and economic development. Trinity College Dublin Journal of Postgraduate Research, v.10, pp.54-66. Read more
Research - 2010
Abstract In this essay I discuss the role of cooperation in the process of innovation. I argue for a reorientation... Read more
Books
Books - 2016
Some climate change is now inevitable and strategies to adapt to these changes are quickly developing. The question is particularly... Read more
Events
Events - 2016
News
News - 2013
Since the turn of the millennium, more than one million people have been killed and 2.3 billion others have been... Read more
News - 2010
Financial Times – registration is required. Read more
Climate change is a real and significant threat to human welfare, particularly in the poorest parts of the world. While... Read more