Economic Research Forum (ERF)

Reza Zamani

Author

Reza Zamani
Assistant Professor of Economics, Allameh Tabataba'i University

Reza Zamani was Assistant Professor of economics, at Allameh Tabataba'i University from 2014. He was visiting assistant professor (visiting researcher) at Philips University of Marburg, Germany from 2021 to 2024. Now he is visiting researcher at University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business since Apr. 2024. He teaches macroeconomics, development economics and financial economics in both under graduate and graduate levels. His research interests are macroeconomic, microeconomic, development and financial economy. He got his Ph.D. in economics from Allameh Tabataba'i University, M.Sc. in economics from University of Tehran, and B.Sc. in civil engineering from University of Tehran. He has outstanding experience and professional in policy analysis, economic modeling, data analysis and economic advising; Professional teaching with strength background in mathematics, statistics, programming; and management (in policy institutions and academic).

Content by this Author

Corruption in Iran: the role of oil rents

How do fluctuations in oil rents influence levels of corruption in Iran? This column reports the findings of new research, which examines the impact of increases in the country’s oil revenues on corruption, including the mechanisms through which the effects occur – higher inflation, greater public spending on the military and the weakness of democratic institutions.

Most read

The political economy of stalled structural reforms in MENA

There is a persistent pattern to the structural reforms that are required to underpin economic progress in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa: ambitious strategies are announced and partially implemented, but ultimately they are diluted or reversed. This column argues that the repeated stalling of reform is not primarily a failure of economic design. Rather, it reflects deep-seated political economy constraints rooted in rent dependence, elite bargaining and weak institutional credibility. Without addressing these underlying dynamics, reform efforts are likely to remain symbolic rather than transformative.

Untapped talent, unrealised growth: jobs and women in the MENAAP region

Only around one in five women of working age participate in the labour markets of the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan. As this column explains, the region can no longer afford to leave half its human capital underused. Expanding women’s labour force participation is central to growth and resilience in the face of looming demographic change.

Closing the gender gap in political participation in MENA

Women across the Middle East and North Africa participate less than men in politics – not only in political parties and elections, but also in petitions, boycotts, protests and strikes. This column reports evidence from ten countries showing that differences in education, employment and political attitudes explain part of this disparity, yet a significant gender gap remains.

Labour demand and informal employment in Egypt’s manufacturing sector

Egypt’s manufacturing sector faces a dual challenge of weak job creation and persistent informality. Drawing on survey evidence on business behaviour and labour market dynamics, this column explains why job creation is limited and informal work remains such an integral part of how firms organise production. The generation of more formal jobs requires a comprehensive policy approach, one that goes beyond enforcement of labour regulations to reshape the economic environment in which firms and workers make decisions.




Linkedin