Dean Karlan is the Frederic Esser Nemmers Distinguished Professor of Economics and Finance and co-director of the Global Poverty Research Lab at Northwestern University. His research focuses on development and behavioral economics, typically using experimental methods to examine questions about poverty and behavioral economics.

Work Experience

Before his work at Northwestern University, Karlan was a professor of economics at Yale University and Princeton University. Karlan founded or co-founded three entities: Innovations for Poverty Action (a nonprofit organization), stickK.com (a for-profit entity) and ImpactMatters (a nonprofit organization). Prior to graduate school, he worked as a software systems consultant for a microcredit organization and an analyst at an investment bank.

Key Accomplishments / Boards

Karlan is on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the M.I.T. Jameel Poverty Action Lab. He co-authored four books: More Than Good Intentions; Economics; Failing in the Field; and The Goldilocks Challenge. Karlan has been awarded the distinguished alumni award from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and the Duke University Talent Identification Program.

Industries / Areas of Expertise

Development Economics, Behavioral Economics

Education

He received a Ph.D. in Economics from M.I.T., an M.B.A. and an M.P.P. from the University of Chicago, and a B.A. in International Affairs from the University of Virginia.

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