Sendhil Mullainathan

Sendhil Mullainathan is an award-winning academic, professor, and author who is best known for his work in the fields of economics and behavioral science. His groundbreaking work in these fields has resulted in him being awarded a MacArthur Fellowship and several prestigious awards.

Born in Chennai in 1968, Sendhil Mullainathan attended MIT, where he began his research in economics and its far-reaching implications for society. He was soon recruited to Harvard where he completed his doctorate in economics in 1999. After completing his studies, he joined the faculty of Harvard University in 1999 and is currently the Fern and Manus Cooney Professor of Economics.

The focus of Sendhil Mullainathan’s research has always been the patient-cost channels of poverty. His innovative thinking and pioneering approach to economic research have made an undeniable contribution to the fight for economic equality for the world’s poor. He is also well-known for his work in applying behavioral models to economics. He has drawn upon insights from human psychology and decision-making in order to provide a better understanding of why individuals and groups of people behave the way they do in different economic settings.

Sendhil Mullainathan has authored several books on topics such as economics, behavioral science, and cognitive science. His most popular book is Scarcity: Why Having Too Little Means So Much, which was published in 2013. In the book, Sendhil examines the ways in which scarcity leads to self-defeating behaviors and how these behaviors can alter the lives of those affected by it. He provides thought-provoking insight on the psychology behind poverty, debt cycles, and the lack of access to resources.

Sendhil is also currently working on a new book titled Social Cost Revisited: Bridging the Gap Between Multidisciplinary Perspectives, which is due to be published in 2022. The book will bring together his research in economics and behavioral science, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the social costs of inequality.

Sendhil Mullainathan’s work has impressed many industry leaders, academics, and students alike. His impactful research has not only opened the door for further economic discourse and dialogue but has also offered invaluable insight into decision-making and the relationship between economic behaviors and the decisions we make.

Sendhil Mullainathan’s work has been rightly rewarded by the MacArthur Fellowship and several other awards, including the MacArthur Fellowship and the Markle Foundation’s Common Good Award. He was also recently appointed to a seven-year term on the Board of Directors for the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

Sendhil Mullainathan is an inspiring figure in the world of economics and behavioral science whose career has made him a pioneer in both his research and in his teaching. His innovative thinking and pioneering approach to research has left an indelible mark in these fields, making him an inspiring leader and role model for the coming generations.