Michael Kremer
Nobel laureate: Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences (2019)
Biography
Michael Robert Kremer (born November 12, 1964) is an American development economist known for his groundbreaking use of randomized controlled trials to improve poverty alleviation programs. He is currently a university professor in economics at the University of Chicago and leads the Development Innovation Lab at the Becker Friedman Institute for Research in Economics. Kremer is considered a top expert in development economics. Before this, he was the Gates Professor of Developing Societies at Harvard University from 2003 to 2020, where he conducted pivotal research on education, health, and economic development in low-income countries.
Kremer's major contribution to economics is his innovative use of field experiments to assess development interventions. Working mainly in Kenya and other African nations, he has carried out many randomized controlled trials to evaluate the impact of programs aimed at improving education, reducing disease, and increasing economic opportunities for the poor. His research has provided essential evidence on which strategies work, challenging conventional beliefs and influencing policy decisions globally.
In 2019, Kremer's work was formally acknowledged when he, along with Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee, was awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for their experimental approach to reducing global poverty. This award underscored the profound effect of their approach, which has reshaped the practice of development economics and how aid organizations assess their initiatives. The Nobel Committee specifically lauded their work for making development economics more scientific and evidence-based.
In addition to his academic work, Kremer has been key in establishing the field of development economics through co-founding the Bureau for Research and Economic Analysis of Development (BREAD) and his leadership in various organizations. As Scientific Director of Development Innovation Ventures, part of the United States Agency for International Development, he has helped direct resources toward well-evaluated development efforts. His impact goes beyond academia through his advisory roles with governments, international organizations, and non-profit groups tackling global development challenges.
Before Fame
Michael Kremer, born in New York City on November 12, 1964, studied both his undergraduate and graduate programs at Harvard University. He entered the field of development economics at a time when traditional methods for addressing global poverty were being re-evaluated. The late 20th century was when economists began to see the shortcomings of relying solely on theoretical models and broad statistical data to understand the complex issues of poverty in developing nations.
As Kremer's career began, there was a growing interest in using more rigorous empirical methods to tackle development issues. At that time, there was better access to micro-level data, and people were becoming more doubtful about large-scale development programs. Kremer's innovative work involved adapting randomized controlled trials—common in medicine—to use in development economics. This approach stemmed from the intellectual climate of the time and his hands-on experience in developing countries, especially in Africa.
Key Achievements
- Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences (2019) for experimental approach to alleviating global poverty
- Co-founded the Bureau for Research and Economic Analysis of Development (BREAD)
- Pioneered the use of randomized controlled trials in development economics
- MacArthur Fellowship recipient (1997) for innovative research methods
- Served as Gates Professor of Developing Societies at Harvard University (2003-2020)
Did You Know?
- 01.Co-founded the Bureau for Research and Economic Analysis of Development (BREAD), which has become a leading network for development economists worldwide
- 02.His research on deworming programs in Kenyan schools showed that treating intestinal worms significantly improved school attendance and had long-term economic benefits
- 03.Received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers in 1996, one of the highest honors for young researchers in the United States
- 04.His wife Rachel Glennerster is also a prominent development economist and former executive director of J-PAL, creating a notable academic partnership
- 05.Was elected to the National Academy of Sciences, a rare honor for economists focused on development issues
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences | 2019 | for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty |
| MacArthur Fellows Program | 1997 | — |
| Fellow of the Econometric Society | 2008 | — |
| Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers | 1996 | — |
| Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences | — | — |