Jesse Lastunen

Research Associate

Jesse Lastunen is a research associate at UNU-WIDER, specialising in tax-benefit microsimulation modelling. His research interests include labour and public economics, with a focus on social policies, taxation and employment. Currently, Jesse coordinates the research and technical assistance activities in Viet Nam, Rwanda and Uganda as part of the SOUTHMOD project. He led the efforts to harmonize and integrate the SOUTHMOD microsimulation models for the Global South.

Jesse has previously worked for organizations such as OECD, RAND Corporation, Internet Association and the Technopolis Group, conducting policy-oriented research on the intersection of technological change and the labour market. He received his PhD in policy analysis from the Pardee RAND Graduate School, with analytical concentrations in economics and quantitative methods. He has master’s degrees in international economics and technology policy.