When David Autor arrived at MIT in 1999, he could not have imagined that a quarter-century later he would be chosen to lead the very department that shaped his career. Yet this July, the renowned labor economist will step into the role of head of MIT's Department of Economics, succeeding Jon Gruber.
Autor comes to the position with an extraordinary record of scholarship and recognition. His research explores how technology and globalization reshape labor markets—examining job polarization, skill demands, earnings inequality, and even electoral outcomes. In 2023, he was one of just two researchers across all scientific fields named a NOMIS Distinguished Scientist, a rare honor that places him among the world's most innovative thinkers. The following year, he was selected as an AI2050 Senior Fellow by the Schmidt Sciences Foundation, one of only five senior scholars chosen to explore how artificial intelligence will transform society.
Beyond his research, Autor has been recognized for his dedication to students. He holds the MIT MacVicar Faculty Fellowship, the James A. and Ruth Levitan Award for excellence in teaching, and the Undergraduate Economic Association Teaching Award—proof that his impact extends far beyond published papers. He also serves as faculty co-director of the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work, bringing together scholars to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time.
The announcement was met with enthusiasm from leadership. "David is a world-class labor economist," said Agustín Rayo, Kenan Sahin Dean of the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. "He is also an individual of wisdom and insight."
For his part, Autor expressed deep gratitude for the institution that has been his intellectual home. "I've been at MIT since 1999, and I owe my career to the Institute, the department, and colleagues who are as kind as they are accomplished," he said. "Stepping into this role is a chance to contribute to a place that has shaped me at every stage."
Looking ahead, Autor is clear-eyed about the challenges ahead—budget tightening and a shifting political landscape—but he sees opportunity as well. "Just as important, I want to lead the department toward the opportunities that advancing AI is opening in how we teach and what we research," he said. It is a vision that blends pragmatism with optimism, honoring the past while embracing the future. Under his leadership, MIT's economics department seems poised to remain at the forefront of understanding—and shaping—an economy in flux.