Murray Leibbrand named 2025 IEA Fellow

The Cluster of Research Excellence in Inequality, Poverty and Deprivation celebrates Emeritus Professor Murray Leibbrandt, who has recently been named a Fellow of the International Economic Association (IEA). This prestigious title acknowledges his longstanding contributions to research on poverty, inequality, and labour markets, and marks a significant milestone as he becomes the first South African to receive this distinction.

IEA Fellowship is conferred annually on economists worldwide who have made outstanding contributions through the creation and dissemination of new ideas, as well as through high-quality policy work. Fellows are selected through a rigorous nomination and review process led by the IEA’s Nominating Committee, with attention to regional diversity and gender balance. Each year, up to ten economists are chosen from a global pool of candidates, reflecting excellence across research, policy engagement, and contributions to the broader economics discipline.

Leibbrandt’s selection recognises not only the depth and influence of his academic work, but also its policy relevance in advancing understanding of inequality and economic development, particularly in the South African context. His research has played a central role in shaping debates on labour markets and poverty reduction, both locally and internationally.

This recognition is especially notable at a moment when Leibbrandt has formally stepped back from some institutional roles, yet continues to contribute actively to research and public discourse. His appointment as an IEA Fellow both honours a distinguished career and signals the ongoing impact of his work in addressing some of the most pressing economic challenges of our time.