Jeffrey Nugent is a Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Southern California (USC), specializing in Business & Economics with a focus on Development Economics. He joined USC in 1964 as an Assistant Professor, advancing to Associate Professor from 1969 to 1976, and Professor from 1976 onward, serving as Acting Chairman in 1986 and Chairman from 1989 to 1991. Nugent holds a B.A. in American Studies from Amherst College (1957), an M.A. in Economics (1961), and a Ph.D. in Economics (1965) from the New School for Social Research. His extensive career includes numerous visiting appointments, such as at GRIPS in Tokyo (2007), University of Calabria (2000), CERGE-EI in Prague (1998), Korea Development Institute (1989), and the Graduate School of the People’s Bank of China (1988), among others.

Nugent's research interests encompass empirical assessments of development programs and policies, the political economy of policy reform, labor market and trade reforms, particularly in the MENA region, institutions and development, small- and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises, contractual choice, old age security, fertility, economic integration, and China's TVEs. He is the author and co-author of influential books, including "Explaining Growth in the Middle East" (2006, with M. Hashem Pesaran), "Trade Policy and Economic Integration in the Middle East and North Africa" (2003, with Hassan Hakimian), "Fulfilling the Export Potential of Small and Medium Firms" (1999, with Albert Berry and Brian Levy), "New Institutional Economics and Development: Theory and Applications to Tunisia" (1989, with Mustapha Nabli), and "Economics of Development: Empirical Investigations" (with Pan A. Yotopoulos). His numerous journal articles and book chapters have advanced understanding in development economics. Awards include the Dudley Seers Award (2011-2012), Best Article Award of Contemporary Economic Policy (2010), USC Raubenheimer Outstanding Senior Faculty Award (1986), and Omicron Delta Epsilon Teaching and Service Award (1995). A conference, "Advances in Development Economics," was held in his honor in 2011. Nugent retired in 2024 after 60 years of distinguished contributions to academia, research, and mentorship at USC.

Professional Email: nugent@usc.edu