Edward Cunningham, Assistant Professor, Boston University; Director, Asia Energy and Sustainability Initiative

Edward Cunningham is the Director of the Harvard Kennedy School Asia Energy and Sustainability Initiative and an Assistant Professor in Boston University’s Department of Earth and Environment.  He is also a research affiliate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) Industrial Performance Center and serves as a consultant to private and publicly listed companies in the energy sector, ranging from energy storage and wind power to coal gasification and unconventional oil and gas. Prof. Cunningham graduated from Georgetown University, received an A.M. from Harvard’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and received his Ph.D. from the Department of Political Science at M.I.T. He was selected as a Fulbright Fellow to the P.R.C., during which time he conducted his doctoral fieldwork as a visiting fellow at Tsinghua University. He is fluent in Mandarin and Italian, and focuses his academic work on energy markets, energy policy, and the political economy of development.  His work has also appeared in major media such as The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Economist.

Research Assistant Skills:A RA is needed to assist with a research project that compares energy policy and coal markets in China and Indonesia. The project will involve the collection of statistical data relating to both countries, the tracking of historical policy development in this sector for each country, as well as research that will identify potential case studies to illuminate obstacles to sustainable investment in each country. This project may also link to a similar research effort relating to oil and gas policy and markets. These projects are part of a broader effort to understand the impact of decentralization on the productivity and sustainability of energy markets in Asia.

Background in economics or development extremely helpful.RA must have good writing skills, excellent research skills, and the ability to be creative in their research and presentation of information. The RA also must be organized, dependable, and be willing to provide status updates to the project manager. Mandarin reading skills greatly preferred.

2011 Research Assistant Reflection
I worked on a project that extends the work that Professor Cunningham did in his dissertation. We looked at the state ownership of coal mines in China and Indonesia, and researched how energy policy has responded to changing energy demands. I have valued the opportunity to help with an exciting project, and to have a mentor who is doing work in a field that interests me.
- David Zhao ‘13