David Autor Appointed as Head of MIT Department of Economics

Esteemed labor economist, David Autor, has been recently crowned as the new head of the Department of Economics at MIT. Taking office from July 1, Autor’s appointment brings a fresh chapter of leadership, underpinned by his stellar expertise and insightful wisdom. The Daniel (1972) and Gail Rubinfeld Professor at MIT, Autor’s rich legacy in the field of labor economics is admired worldwide.

Deep Insights and Groundbreaking Research

Agustín Rayo, the Kenan Sahin Dean of the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, praises Autor as a “world-class labor economist” of “wisdom and insight”. This announcement also marks a new addition to the school’s leadership lexicon, which Rayo eagerly anticipates.

David Autor embarked on his academic voyage at MIT in 1999, where he has since dedicated his research to dissecting labor-market dynamics amidst technological change and globalization. His primary research threads include job polarization, skill demands, earnings inequality, and even electoral outcomes. Autor’s suggestion to the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work discourses has been transformative, shaping conversations on pressing societal issues with his deep expertise.

Autor has greatly acknowledged MIT’s role in his career journey: “I’ve been at MIT since 1999, and I owe my career to the Institute, the department, and colleagues who are as kind as they are accomplished.”

Beneath the Laurels

Autor succeeds Jon Gruber, the Ford Professor of Economics, who managed the department from July 2023. Autor envisions maintaining the high academic standards already established under his predecessor. Despite the likely budget constraints and fluctuating political climate, he conceives a future of immense possibilities, particularly in incorporating artificial intelligence in teaching and research. Autor’s advanced thinking echoes his admirable leadership vision for the department.

Brimming with prodigious achievements, Autor’s résumé boasts of credentials such as co-directing the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) Labor Studies Program, holding a BA in psychology from Tufts University, and earning a Ph.D. in public policy from Harvard University’s prestigious Kennedy School of Government. In addition, Autor’s shelf glitters with the National Science Foundation CAREER Award, an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellowship, the Sherwin Rosen Prize for labor economics contributions, the MIT MacVicar Faculty Fellowship, and the James A. and Ruth Levitan Award for teaching excellence.

His transformative work harnessing the impacts of globalization and technological change on American workers paved the way for the Heinz 25th Special Recognition Award in 2020. In the ensuing years, his remarkable efforts culminated in the NOMIS Distinguished Scientist title (2023) and in being chosen as an AI2050 Senior Fellow by the Schmidt Sciences Foundation (2024).

More details about his prestigious career path and this significant appointment can be found here.

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