Meet our Alumni – Paolo Mauro
Paolo Mauro (BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics, 1989) has built a distinguished international career at the forefront of economic policy and development.
Currently Director of Development Impact Measurement at the International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank Group, Paolo previously spent three decades at the International Monetary Fund, specialising in macroeconomic and fiscal policy.
His career since Oxford also includes appointments as Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and Visiting Professor at Johns Hopkins University's Carey Business School.
Paolo is the author of a new book, The State and Your Hard-Earned Money, which explores the relationship between citizens, governments, and public finances, drawing on decades of experience in global economic policymaking.
We’re delighted to be in contact with Paolo who reflects on his time studying PPE, the influences that shaped his career, and the insights behind his latest book.
How do you describe your time at Oxford studying PPE?
It was a privilege to have the opportunity to study in extremely stimulating intellectual environment. I enjoyed reading and studying in wonderful spaces: the St. Edmund Hall library, located in a medieval church, or in the Theology library with religious music in the background. Listening to the debates at the Oxford Union was a memorable experience. Perhaps the most important was just conversation at dinner with classmates from a wide range of disciplines.
How important was Oxford in shaping the foundations of your career?
An important skill I acquired through learning-by-doing was the ability to write clearly and concisely under time pressure. Perhaps that will matter less for today's cohorts. But another skill – critical thinking – will no doubt remain relevant.
In your view, how relevant is the study of PPE today for students considering careers in economics, politics, or public finance?
I would guess that it will remain crucial. The premise of my book is that these disciplines – economics, politics, moral philosophy, public finance, and policies – are all inextricably intertwined. Interdisciplinary approaches are becoming more relevant in general. Even if technical knowledge may be replaced by artificial intelligence, elected representatives with human intelligence and empathy will need to steer society in the right direction.
What advice would you offer to prospective Oxford students?
I don't feel well placed to give advice, frankly. Making predictions is hard, especially about the future. For what it's worth, I think we all need to do our best to have a mix of intellectual curiosity, travel, and meet people from other walks of life, stay informed about important economic and societal developments beyond one's narrow job mandate, and generally treat each other decently.
