kids encyclopedia robot

Simon Johnson (economist) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Simon Johnson
Simon Johnson, 2024 Nobel Prize Laureate in Economics 4 (cropped).jpg
Johnson in 2024
Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund
In office
March 2007 – August 31, 2008
President Rodrigo Rato
Dominique Strauss-Kahn
Preceded by Raghuram Rajan
Succeeded by Olivier Blanchard
Personal details
Born (1963-01-16) January 16, 1963 (age 62)
Sheffield, United Kingdom
Education Abbotsholme School, Rocester
Corpus Christi College, Oxford (BA)
University of Manchester (MA)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (PhD)
Scientific career
Thesis Inflation, intermediation, and economic activity (1989)
Doctoral advisor Rudiger Dornbusch
Academic career
Field Political economy
Development economics
Awards Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences (2024)
Information at IDEAS / RePEc

Simon H. Johnson (born January 16, 1963) is an important British-American economist. He is currently a professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management. He has taught there since 2004.

From 2007 to 2008, he was the Chief Economist for the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF is an organization that helps countries with their money problems.

In 2024, Simon Johnson, along with Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson, won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences. They received this award for their studies on why some countries are richer than others.

Simon Johnson's Education Journey

Simon Johnson was born in 1963 in Sheffield, a city in the United Kingdom. He went to Abbotsholme School. After that, he studied PPE at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. He finished his studies there in 1984.

He then earned a master's degree in economics from the University of Manchester in 1986. Later, he went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). There, he earned his PhD in economics in 1989. His main teacher at MIT was Rudiger Dornbusch.

Simon Johnson's Career Highlights

After finishing his PhD, Simon Johnson worked at Harvard University from 1989 to 1991. He was a junior scholar there. He also worked with Harvard's Russian Research Center.

From 1991 to 1997, he taught at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. He started as an assistant professor and later became an associate professor. During this time, he also led a center in St Petersburg, Russia.

Johnson joined the faculty at MIT in 1997. He became a tenured professor in 2002. At MIT, he helps lead the "Shaping the Future of Work Initiative." He also heads the Global Economics and Management Group.

He has been a research associate at the NBER since 2004. He also serves on the board of directors for Fannie Mae. This is a large company that helps people buy homes.

Understanding Simon Johnson's Research and Books

Simon Johnson has written many important papers. Some of his research looks at how new machines affect jobs. He also studies how technology impacts economic growth.

He has written several books that explain complex economic ideas. Many of his books focus on how the economy works and how it affects people.

Power and Progress: A Look at Technology's Impact

Simon Johnson, 2024 Nobel Prize Laureate in Economics with friends and family
Johnson, second from left, with friends and family at 2024 Nobel Week

One of his recent books is Power and Progress. He wrote this book with Daron Acemoglu, published in 2023. The book explores how technology has changed society throughout history.

It asks important questions about new machines and jobs. It also looks at how technology can be used for good. The book also discusses the excitement around artificial intelligence (AI).

Power and Progress suggests that new technologies don't always help everyone. Sometimes, only a few powerful people benefit. The book also shares a critical view of AI. It warns that AI could negatively affect jobs and wages.

Acemoglu and Johnson also offer ideas on how technology can benefit society. They suggest looking at the Progressive Era for lessons. They propose ideas like investing in workers and protecting privacy.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Simon Johnson para niños

  • Brown–Kaufman amendment
kids search engine
Simon Johnson (economist) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.