Will your children be better off than you? (interview with John Friedman)
April 11, 2023 WBUR
In an interview with WBUR, John Friedman discussed research on economic mobility, income growth and income distribution.
John N. Friedman
John N. Friedman
Briger Family Distinguished Professor of Economics and International and Public Affairs
Chair of the Economics Department
Biography
John N. Friedman is a Professor of Economics at Brown University, as well as a founding co-Director of Opportunity Insights. His studies the causes and consequences of inequality for kids, as well as policies to improve opportunity for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. His work has appeared in top academic journals as well as in major media outlets, has been cited by President Obama in his 2012 State of the Union Address, and has shaped policies at the federal, state, and local level. Most recently, John and his colleagues at Opportunity Insights have published the Economic Tracker, providing the most granular and real-time look at how COVID-19 is affecting the economy in cities and states across America. He worked as Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy at the National Economic Council in the White House. He is also a Research Associate at NBER and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Public Economics. In July, he will become Chair of the Brown University Economic Department.
Research
Friedman's research brings together theory and data, harnessing the power of large administrative datasets to yield policy-relevant insights on a wide range of topics, including taxation, healthcare, and education quality. His work has appeared in top academic journals as well as in major media outlets.
Publications
Real-time economics: A new platform to track the impacts of COVID-19 on people, businesses, and communities using private sector data NBER Working paper (2020)
The opportunity atlas: Mapping the childhood roots of social mobility National Bureau of Economic Research (2018)
The Opportunity Atlas: Mapping the Childhood Roots of Social Mobility NBER (2018)
Teaching
ECON 0180A
MPA 2455
ECON 2485
ECON 2930
News|Recent News
Treasury Department announces inaugural members of Formal Advisory Committee on Racial Equity
October 5, 2022 U.S. Department of the Treasury
Professor of Economics and International and Public Affairs John Friedman has been selected as one of the 25 inaugural members of the Treasury Advisory Committee on Racial Equity.
65 Years Later: A School Bombing, A Steady Leader, And A Message Of Hope (comments by John Friedman)
September 9, 2022 Forbes
Professor of Economics John Friedman comments for Forbes on the lingering practices and policies that prevent students from accessing a great public education.
School Is for Social Mobility (written by John Friedman)
September 1, 2022 The New York Times
In this opinion piece for the New York Times, Chair of Economics John Friedman argues that big data and education reforms can help shape children's trajectories long-term.
1 in 5 gig drivers got unemployment benefits at pandemic peak (Opportunity Insights cited)
October 22, 2021 CNBC
This article cites Opportunity Insights, a project led by John Friedman, in reference to low employment levels as of mid-August 2021 for individuals who make less than $27,000 per year.
The sad, predictable limits of America's 'economic recovery' (commentary by John Friedman)
September 22, 2021 Vox
"You have to think about how it's playing out across distribution - who has recovered, who may actually be doing better than before, and who is still suffering," said John Friedman on the post-pandemic economy.
Jobs are still down 22% for low-wage workers. They’re up for everyone else (John Friedman cited)
August 17, 2021 CNBC
This article cites John Friedman, co-director of Opportunity Insights, on the impact of COVID-19 on U.S. employment.
Events
May 28, 2022
Commencement Forum — Conversation with a Nobel Laureate: The Data Revolution in Public Policy
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. 85 Waterman Street, Room 130