Economics

Next year, Olivia Zhao will attend Oxford University to earn a Master’s degree in economics as a Marshall Scholar. After that, she hopes to earn a PhD in economics and work in a university or at an institution such as the Chicago Federal Reserve, to research public policy from an economics perspective.

Seeking the stories behind the data

MIT Senior Olivia Zhao will study economics as a Marshall Scholar.

December 10, 2017

J-PAL North America is inviting governments and health care organizations across the United States to apply for support evaluating innovative approaches to address critical social challenges.

J-PAL North America calls for proposals from governments and health care organizations

MIT research center aims to support state and local governments and health care organizations in testing innovative approaches to address pressing policy challenges.

December 6, 2017

Marshall Scholars from left to right: Olivia Zhao, Nick Schwartz, Liang Zhou

Three MIT seniors awarded 2018 Marshall Scholarships

Nick Schwartz, Olivia Zhao, and Liang Zhou will pursue graduate studies in the United Kingdom.

December 4, 2017

“Nancy is not only a distinguished scholar," said Melissa Nobles, Kenan Sahin Dean of SHASS, "but also an accomplished public servant, having served in the U.S. Department of Justice for two and a half years. She brings an especially valuable set of skills to this leadership position."

Nancy Rose appointed head of MIT Department of Economics

Distinguished scholar and MacVicar Faculty Fellow is also an accomplished public servant.

November 13, 2017

A new study suggests that long-term states of mind about whether people consider themselves spenders or savers can affect short-term financial decisions.

How impatience guides financial behavior

Study: Long-term states of mind can affect short-term financial decisions.

October 31, 2017

The non-profit Young 1ove designed a course for Botswana schools called “No Sugar” that teaches young girls the high likelihood of contracting HIV from older men called "sugar daddies." Classes begin with ice breakers, such as singing and dancing exercises (shown here). The remainder of the class teaches students risk factors of sugar daddies and how to seek help. The course has reached more t...

Course helps girls in Botswana avoid HIV and “sugar daddies”

Youth-to-youth program teaches girls about the increased odds of contracting HIV from older men.

October 25, 2017

David Autor (left), a professor economics, and Asu Ozdaglar, a professor of electrical engineering, discuss 6-14: Computer Science, Economics, and Data Science. The new major is designed to train students to become the unseen game-makers behind virtual markets.

Two sciences tie the knot

A new major combining computer science and economics will prepare students for designing the virtual marketplaces of the future.

September 4, 2017

Senreve's signature handbags are sold online only, allowing the company to offer a wider array of colors than brick-and-mortar competitors.

How to court millennial shoppers? Lose the logo

Alumna Wendy Wen '09 co-founded an online handbag company to create a new generation of luxury for savvy younger shoppers.

August 1, 2017

A new study co-authored by an MIT economist reveals people have a haphazard approach to assessing inflation.

Intermittent attention, poor memory shape public perceptions of inflation

Consumers may tune in to prices when they need to — but recall data poorly, study finds.

July 31, 2017

“You could think of the cricket pitch as a microcosm of caste issues in India,” says Matt Lowe (bottom, second from right), a PhD candidate leading a study in India to see if the popular game of cricket can help bridge caste divides.

When castes collide

PhD student Matt Lowe uses cricket tournaments to explore caste interactions in rural India and whether the popular sport can help bridge class divides.

July 20, 2017