Johns Hopkins economist Jonas Nahm joins White House Council of Economic Advisers

Jonas Nahm, an associate professor at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, has joined the White House-based Council of Economic Advisers for a one-year term as a senior economist beginning July 31.

The Council of Economic Advisers, an agency within the Executive Office of the President, was established by Congress in 1946 to provide U.S. presidents with objective economic advice on the formulation of both domestic and international economic policy.

Image caption: Jonas Nahm

Nahm said his role within the council will specifically revolve around industrial strategy, including the development of green industries crucial for addressing climate challenges.

"Joining this administration is exciting for me, especially following the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS Act a year ago," Nahm stated. "I'm eager to contribute to the mission of leveraging these legislative tools to foster the growth of critical domestic industries, strengthen supply chains, and create important jobs in the manufacturing sector."

SAIS Dean James B. Steinberg noted that Nahm's appointment reflects a longstanding school tradition.

"At SAIS, our faculty are not only renowned for their stellar research and teaching, but also for being firmly anchored in the world of public policy," Steinberg said. "We make it a priority to support faculty members like Professor Nahm in maintaining strong connections to policy making in Washington, D.C., and beyond."

As a SAIS faculty member, Nahm's research interests lie in comparative political economy, at the intersection of climate policy, environmental politics, and economic and industrial policy. Nahm noted that clean energy transitions—the move away from fossil fuels and toward the use of renewable energy and the growing appeal of electric vehicles—are changing domestic and international politics on a grand scale.

"Over the past 15 years, my research focus has been to understand how nations ranging from China to Europe have strategically employed economic policies to bolster their domestic industries," he said. "It's thrilling to now contribute to similar efforts in our country."

Nahm also pointed out that he's spending the next year collaborating with and learning from other highly talented individuals within the Council of Economic Advisers and other agencies in the Biden administration.

"It's an incredible opportunity and an honor to serve our nation alongside them."