Beirut Economics Research Seminar Series - Dr. Mohamed Elkomi
LAU-AKSOB
The LAU Department of Economics and the AUB Department of Economics co-organize the Beirut Economics Research Seminar Series. The aim is to bring together Lebanon’s economics research community—including economics faculty members, researchers, students and professionals.The sessions feature discussions that enable participants to exchange ideas directly and critically with speakers on frontier economics research topics. They are held every two weeks during the fall and spring semesters, alternating between the LAU and AUB campuses. Attendance is open to all.
The Beirut Economics Research Seminar Series is generously funded by the AKSOB Dean’s Office at LAU and the FAS Dean’s Office at AUB.
For more information, please contact Dr. Jamal Haidar at LAU.
Title: Designing and Applying Behavioral Interventions for Climate Change in Greater Cairo
Speaker: Dr. Mohamed Elkomi
Affiliation: American University in Cairo
Time: 12:30 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Location: LAU AKSOB
About the talk:
Abstract:
The Behavioral and Economic Decision-Making Lab (BEDMLab) at the American University in Cairo is implementing a behavioral science approach to address climate change challenges in Greater Cairo, focusing on three key areas: air quality management, solid waste management, and the promotion of electric buses (e-buses). In collaboration with the World Bank and the Government of Egypt, BEDMLab is designing and implementing evidence-based behavioral interventions to improve public engagement and policy effectiveness. For air quality management, BEDMLab is developing behavioral nudges and awareness campaigns to encourage self-protective measures during high pollution alerts. In solid waste management, the focus is on promoting household waste segregation through tailored nudges and integrating these into broader strategies for green jobs and the circular economy. For e-buses, the interventions aim to increase public adoption by addressing behavioral barriers, particularly for vulnerable populations, and raising awareness of the benefits of sustainable transportation. This initiative leverages behavioral insights to create sustainable solutions that enhance climate resilience and improve the quality of life for the citizens of Greater Cairo.
About the speaker:
Biography: Dr. Mohamed El-Komi is a tenured associate professor of economics at the American University in Cairo. He previously served as assistant professor of finance and economics at Durham University, UK, adjunct professor of economics at the University of Texas at Dallas, and visiting scholar at the James A. Baker Ill Institute for Public Policy at Rice University. His main areas of research are behavioral and experimental economics, and Islamic finance. At Durham University, he was deputy director of the Center for Behavioral Economics and Finance. He is currently the director and founder of the Behavioral and Economic Decision-Making Lab (BEDMLab) at AUC.
Dr. El-Komi has organized several conferences on Islamic finance, behavioral economics, and experimental economics, and has been initiator and guest editor of special issues on Islamic finance for the Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization (JEBO). His work has appeared in top-ranking journals. His public service career includes diplomatic service, where he rose to the rank of minister plenipotentiary. Dr. El-Komi holds an MA from Warwick University, an MSc and a PhD from the University of Texas at Dallas.