David Skarbek

I am the Michael Targoff Professor of Political Economy at Brown University. My work studies the political economy of institutions and development, with a focus on criminal governance. My research has appeared in journals in criminology, economics, and political science, and I've published two award-winning books, both with Oxford University Press. 

The world faces a wide range of pressing problems—from economic stagnation and political upheaval to technological disruptions and environmental disasters. These challenges are multifaceted and complex, defying simple solutions. To address such complexity, Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) combines complementary analytical lenses from both traditional and contemporary disciplines to deepen our understanding. Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to developing PPE programs that promote this methodological approach. In 2012, I joined the newly established Department of Political Economy at King's College London, where I helped build a new department and degree programs in Political Economy and PPE. Now, as the inaugural Director of Brown’s PPE Center, I am leading efforts to develop vibrant academic programs and foster scholarly conversations that bridge traditional disciplinary boundaries.