World Bank economist brings global policy experience to Texas A&M

Harun Onder, Ph.D., is an associate professor and the new Howard G. Buffett Endowed Chair on Conflict and Development in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Agricultural Economics. He will also direct the Texas A&M University’s Program on Conflict and Development.

Onder began the role on March 1 and is currently working remotely from Washington, D.C. He plans to relocate to Bryan-College Station by June 1.

“What drew me to Texas A&M was the university’s strong commitment to addressing real-world issues through research and education,” Onder said. “I believe my experience at the World Bank will help students prepare for impactful careers.”

Bringing policy experience into the classroom

A native of Turkey, Onder brings more than 15 years of international policy and research experience from the World Bank, where he most recently served as deputy chief economist for the Middle East and North Africa. His portfolio also covered East Africa, Europe and Central Asia.

“At the World Bank, I always pursued a dual track using research to inform policy and applying policy needs to guide research,” he said. “That approach shaped the questions we asked and the solutions we developed.”

Focus on fragile states and postconflict recovery

At Texas A&M, Onder’s research will focus on pressing development challenges, such as the economic effects of demographic shifts, natural resource shocks and conflict, including displacement and recovery in postconflict settings.

He led the World Bank’s research program for the conflict in Syria, focusing on regional economic impacts and the return of Syrian refugees, and the Bank’s technical assistance to the Government of Ukraine, designing postconflict recovery strategies for eastern Ukraine after the conflict in 2014.

Onder also supported the negotiations between the Kenyan government and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees by preparing an assessment of the economic impact of refugee camps. Additionally, he led large-scale budget support operations in Tanzania and Angola, unlocking $1.75 billion in concessional financing to help implement national reforms focused on expanding digital innovations for agriculture, broadening access to health insurance, and restructuring energy policy through public-private partnerships and subsidy reform.

“These experiences gave me a deep understanding of the practical side of development policy,” Onder said. “That’s something I’m eager to share with students, not just the theory, but how to apply it in real-world scenarios.”

Bridging agricultural economics, development and conflict resolution

Onder’s appointment supports Texas A&M’s leadership in research that connects agricultural economics with conflict resolution, offering evidence-based solutions for communities facing instability.

“Dr. Onder’s global experience and policy insight are exactly what we need to address complex development issues linked to agricultural economics, conflict and displacement,” said Rudy Nayga, Ph.D., professor and head of the Department of Agricultural Economics. “We’re thrilled to welcome him to Aggieland.”