Dean Karlan

Dean Karlan is the Frederic Esser Nemmers Chair in Economics and Finance, KSM, at Northwestern University's Department of Economics. His research focuses on microeconomic issues of poverty, employing experimental methodologies and behavioral economics insights to examine what works, what does not, and why to address social problems. His work spans many geographies and topics, including sustainable income generation for those in abject poverty, credit and savings markets for low income households, agriculture for smallholder farmers, small and medium entrepreneurship, weight loss and smoking cessation, and charitable giving. He has worked in over twenty countries around the world, including both low income countries and the United States.

Dean Karlan is a Professor of Economics and Finance at Northwestern University, specializing in development economics and behavioral economics. His research explores how behavioral insights can inform economic development, particularly in low-income settings. Karlan's work includes randomized evaluations of microcredit, commitment savings products, and the impact of social connections on financial decisions. He investigates how behavioral interventions can improve savings, credit access, and entrepreneurial outcomes. His research also examines the role of information asymmetries, media influence, and social capital in shaping economic behavior. Karlan's contributions span both theoretical and applied economics, with a focus on practical policy implications.