DrRahul Sen

I specialize in international economics research and policy analysis, specifically in the area of trade policy and economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region. My work involves evaluating economic integration initiatives involving key trading partners of New Zealand, including Australia, China, ASEAN, and India. My research findings have been published in prestigious academic journals, as well as in outlets that cater to a non-academic audience. Before joining AUT, I held a position as a Research Fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) in Singapore.

With my specialization in the economics of international trade, I have had the opportunity to establish collaborations and partnerships with renowned institutions in applied international trade research. These include the International Labour Organization (ILO), World Bank, UN Economic and Social Commission for the Asia-Pacific (UNESCAP), Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) network.

I have actively contributed to research projects and served as a member of the Advisory Committee for the ILO's assessment of labor provisions in trade and investment arrangements. As the sole trade economist from New Zealand in this capacity, I provided valuable insights and perspectives.

I am also affilated with the Infinite Sum Modelling (ISM) as a Senior Research Fellow. ISM is a global economic consulting firm with branches in the USA, Canada, China, and India. In this role, I contribute to ongoing research that models the economy-wide impact of various external shocks, such as global trade wars, digital technologies in international trade, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, I have worked as an external consultant for the ADB on a project related to the trade of essential medical goods during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022. This allowed me to contribute my expertise in analyzing and assessing the trade dynamics surrounding these critical goods. Overall, my involvement in these initiatives has provided me with extensive experience and expertise in applied international trade research and policy analysis.

Over 2022-2025, I have had the privilege of being invited by the World Bank as an expert to provide valuable insights and feedback on their ongoing project, Business Enabling Indicators (BEE), which focuses on international trade. This initiative aims to replace the previous Doing Business Indicators, and my role involves offering consultative guidance. Additionally, I am currently supervising a doctoral thesis that revolves around the economic impact of digital trade on Global Value Chains (GVCs) in the Asia-Pacific region. This research project utilizes quantitative tools of empirical trade modeling within a partial and general equilibrium framework.

I have also actively engaged in analyzing opportunities and challenges to enhance New Zealand's trading relationship with India. India is currently the fastest growing economy in the world, making this collaboration particularly important. In this context, I have had the opportunity to provide valuable policy insights through media interactions including those with TVNZ and RNZ.

Furthermore, I have contributed to ongoing policy discussions at the G20 India meetings in 2023. Through a policy brief titled "Creating a Resilient Supply Chain Framework: The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (INDAUS ECTA) and its Significance for the G20," I have provided insightful analysis and recommendations on how the INDAUS ECTA can contribute to the development of a robust supply chain framework that benefits the G20 countries as a whole.

I am the recipient of the Aotearoa Business Research Translation Award for 2025 in the established researcher category for my 2024 research on Trade involving essential medical goods and the role of trade agreements during COVID-19. 

Highlighted media:

Q+A with Jack Tame on TVNZ on India-New Zealand trade : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh0BPLCtwCM&t=15s 

Article in the Conversation : https://theconversation.com/the-pandemic-exposes-nzs-supply-chain-vulnerability-be-ready-for-more-inflation-in-the-year-ahead-176232