Economics Nobel for Profs. Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson

Good morning, MIT!

I’m delighted to let you know that Daron Acemoglu, Institute Professor, and Simon Johnson, the Ronald A. Kurtz (1954) Professor of Entrepreneurship at the MIT Sloan School of Management, have been awarded the 2024 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.

They share the prize with James Robinson of the University of Chicago for “studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity.” Through extensive historical studies over time and across societies, their work demonstrates the extent to which economic growth and prosperity depend on healthy societal institutions, including the rule of law.

Co-authors of the 2023 book Power and Progress: Our 1,000-Year Struggle over Technology and Prosperity, Daron and Simon are extraordinarily prolific and influential scholars. You can read more about their work on MIT News.

And at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time, please join us by webcast for the press conference.

With this morning’s news, the pair become the ninth and 10th individuals to receive the Economics Nobel while serving as members of our faculty. We join with the Department of Economics and the MIT Sloan School of Management in celebrating both their research and their extraordinary contributions as citizens of MIT.

With admiration,

Sally Kornbluth
President

PS: Since Simon earned his PhD from the Institute, this is the second time this week that an MIT graduate received good news from Stockholm.