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Jeffrey R. Vincent

Korstian Distinguished Professor in Forest Economics and Management in the Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences
Environmental Social Systems
Box 90328, Durham, NC 27708-0328
4108 Grainger Hall, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708

Overview


Jeffrey R. Vincent is an economist who works mainly on forest policy issues in low- and middle-income countries. Over his career, he has blended academic research, teaching, and administration; leadership of large, donor-funded policy-advising projects; and capacity-building and mid-career training. Prior to joining Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment in 2007, he held positions at the University of California, San Diego (School of International Relations & Pacific Studies), Harvard University (Institute for International Development), and Michigan State University (Department of Forestry). His current research focuses on the economics of forest restoration, with a primary emphasis on countries in Asia. His past research has addressed various topics, including the tropical timber trade, forest concession policies, biodiversity conservation, the effects of air pollution and climate change on agriculture, green accounting, and valuation of forest ecosystem services. He received the McKinsey Award for the most significant article published in the Harvard Business Review in 2003 and the Cozzarelli Prize for the best article in applied biological, agricultural, and environmental sciences published in PNAS in 2006. He is a Fellow at the Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics in Stockholm, Sweden and the South Asian Network of Development and Environmental Economists in Kathmandu, Nepal and Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Cambridge University Press journal, Environment and Development Economics.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Korstian Distinguished Professor in Forest Economics and Management in the Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences · 2007 - Present Environmental Social Systems, Nicholas School of the Environment
Professor in the Division of Environmental Social Systems · 2024 - Present Environmental Social Systems, Nicholas School of the Environment
Professor of Public Policy Studies · 2008 - Present Sanford School of Public Policy
Affiliate of the Duke Center for International Development · 2023 - Present Duke Center for International Development, Sanford School of Public Policy

In the News


Published February 9, 2024
Duke Climate Solutions Panel Offers Cautious Hope for a Warming Planet
Published August 8, 2016
Nicholas School Dean Alan Townsend to Take Leave of Absence
Published March 7, 2016
Duke University hosts new institute to help preserve national park landscapes

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Recent Publications


The importance of distinguishing between natural and managed tree cover gains in the moist tropics.

Journal Article Nature communications · July 2025 Naturally regenerated forests and managed tree systems provide different levels of carbon, biodiversity, and livelihood benefits. Here, we show that tree cover gains in the moist tropics during 1982-2015 were 56% ± 3% naturally regenerated forests and 27% ... Full text Cite

Cost-effectiveness of natural forest regeneration and plantations for climate mitigation

Journal Article Nature Climate Change · September 1, 2024 Mitigating climate change cost-effectively requires identifying least-cost-per-ton GHG abatement methods. Here, we estimate and map GHG abatement cost (US$ per tCO2) for two common reforestation methods: natural regeneration and plantations. We ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Economics of Afforestation in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by World Bank · 2025 - 2027

Research and Development of Global Applications of Forest Restoration Potential Using SEPAL

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations · 2023 - 2024

Consequences of Changing Mangrove Forests in South Asia on the Provision of Global Ecosystem Goods and Services

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Aeronautics and Space Administration · 2017 - 2021

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Education, Training & Certifications


Yale University · 1988 Ph.D.
Michigan State University · 1984 M.S.