Gita Gopinath to Make Harvard Return After Successful IMF Stint

Gita Gopinath, who serves as the Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, is set to step down at the end of August and return to Harvard University. The writeup was shared by Gopinath herself on social media.

Gopinath announced, “I now return to my roots in academia.” She added, “I look forward to continuing to push the research frontier in international finance and macroeconomics to address global challenges, and to training the next generation of economists.”

Previously, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said that Gopinath would be stepping down from the Fund by August-end and return to Harvard University, where she will be serving as the inaugural Gregory and Ania Coffey Professor of Economics in the Department of Economics.

As per the writeup, Gopinath will be resuming her work at Harvard University this fall after returning from a long-term public service leave of absence. In 2018, she became the first female chief economist at the International Monetary Fund, following which she was promoted as IMF’s first deputy managing director in 2022.

David M. Cutler, dean of social science and Otto Eckstein Professor of Applied Economics said, “Gita’s academic work has fundamentally shaped our understanding of exchange rates, international capital flows, and the global financial architecture.” He added, “Having her back strengthens our standing as a top university for international macroeconomics. She is also an exceptional teacher and intellectual partner. We can’t wait to welcome her home.”

While serving as the chief economist at IMF, Gopinath has been instrumental in driving the IMF's research department and spearheading the organisation’s “World Economic Outlook” publication, which guides policy leaders on economic matters. Additionally, she co-authored a pandemic plan that played a significant role in accessibility of COVID-19 vaccines.

In her current role as First Deputy Managing Director, Gopinath oversees several departments, including research, fiscal affairs, strategy, and policy, among others. She is also noted for her work in large IMF programs including those for Argentina and Ukraine. Gopinath also represents the IMF at high-level engagements, including G7 and G20.

“[Gita’s] analytical rigor was paired with practical policy advice to the membership during an especially challenging period, which included the pandemic, wars, the cost-of-living crisis, and major shifts in the global trading system,” said IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. “Gita’s departure will be a loss for the Fund, but a gain for Harvard and for the many students and faculty who will benefit from her experience, knowledge, and passion for learning.”