Fernando García
- Senior Applied Research Fellow
Fernando García is a Senior Applied Research Fellow at the Growth Lab at Harvard Kennedy School, which he joined in 2021. He leads applied research and policy engagements with governments and senior policymakers, focusing on growth diagnostics, macroeconomic stabilization, and structural transformation. His work combines quantitative economic analysis with country-level research to inform the design and implementation of economic policies. He has contributed to research and policy engagements in Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Jordan, Namibia, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates.
Before joining the Growth Lab, Fernando worked in public policy advisory roles in Argentina, banking sector analysis at Banco Ciudad, and as a research assistant at the University of Chicago. He has also taught microeconomics and macroeconomics at Universidad Torcuato Di Tella. Fernando holds a BA in Economics from Universidad Torcuato Di Tella and a Master of Public Policy with honors and a certificate in data analytics from the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy.
Research Projects
Project
Bolivia
Bolivia’s Economic Pivot
In response to Bolivia’s deepening economic crisis, our researchers examined the underlying causes of the country’s challenges and put forward ideas for short-term stabilization and medium-term growth.
Project
Bolivia
Un Giro Económico para Bolivia
En respuesta a la profundización de la crisis económica de Bolivia, nuestros investigadores examinaron las causas subyacentes de los desafíos que enfrenta el país y plantearon ideas para la estabilización a corto plazo y el crecimiento a mediano plazo.
Project
Europe
Promoting Economic Growth and Employment in Andalucía
Our researchers are identifying barriers to economic growth and pinpointing diversification opportunities across Andalusia, Spain's southern most region. A key emphasis is placed on green growth and the region's potential to become a key supplier of specific goods and services needed to help the world decarbonize.
Project
Asia
Advancing Shared Prosperity and Promoting a More Diversified and Resilient Economy in Azerbaijan
This project aims to generate new economic prosperity in Azerbaijan as the economy must diversify beyond oil.
Project
Middle East
Economic Growth and Trade in the United Arab Emirates
Multi-year collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Economy (MoE), where the Growth Lab provided rigorous and actionable research to support the MoE in their mission to promote high-quality sustainable growth, trade, and productivity-driven economic transformation.
Project
Jordan
COVID-19 Economic Response and Long-term Growth in Jordan
Research collaboration to understand the macroeconomic impacts of COVID-19 and inform policy responses in the short-term; and understand long-term impacts on economic growth and inform updates to national and regional growth strategies.
Project
Africa
Promoting Sustainable and Inclusive Prosperity in Namibia
The Growth Lab has been working with the Government of Namibia since 2020 on a project to disentangle the factors that inform Namibia’s economic prospects. The research outputs of this initiative may in turn contribute to the policymaking process in the country and inform policymakers abroad facing similar issues.
Project
Jordan
Macroeconomic Stability & Long-Term Growth in Jordan
This project deployed research guided by Growth Diagnostic and Economic Complexity methodologies, first to understand constraints to growth and key opportunities and later to guide problem-specific research.