Former University of Melbourne academic awarded Nobel Prize for economics

The Faculty of Business and Economics congratulates Professor James A. Robinson on becoming the 2024 Nobel laureate in economics.

Professor Paul Kofman, Dean of Faculty, said the faculty is delighted for Professor Robinson who worked at the University of Melbourne from 1992 to 1995.

“We are proud to count James as an alumnus of our Faculty. Many of our academic staff and former students remember him for his academic excellence and dedication to the field of macroeconomics.”

“It is an honour to announce that he will deliver the Faculty’s Centenary Oration on October 31 to help the Faculty ring in its 100th anniversary.”

Professor James A. Robinson. Photo credit: The University of Chicago

Professor Robinson is the Rev. Dr. Richard L. Pearson Professor of Global Conflict Studies and University Professor at the Harris School of Public Policy of the University of Chicago. He also directs The Pearson Institute for the Study and Resolution of Global Conflicts.

Alongside his colleagues, Professor Daron Acemoglu and Professor Simon Johnson, Professor Robinson was awarded the 2024 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for “studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity”.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the winner on October 14.

"Reducing the vast differences in income between countries is one of our time's greatest challenges," said Jakob Svensson, chair of the academy's Committee for the Prize in Economic Sciences.

"The laureates have demonstrated the importance of societal institutions for achieving this."

Upon receiving his PhD from Yale University, Professor Robinson moved to Melbourne and started his professional career at the University as a lecturer in economics.

He then held appointments at the University of Southern California, Berkeley, and Harvard University.

Read more:

As Nobel Prize winners prove, strong institutions are good for us – Australian Financial Review

An economics Nobel for work on why nations succeed and fail – The Economist

Trio of professors win Nobel economics prize for work on post-colonial wealth – The Guardian

This year’s Nobel prize exposes economics’ problem with colonialism – The Conversation

Nobel economics prize: how colonial history explains why strong institutions are vital to a country’s prosperity – expert Q&A – The Conversation

Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James A Robinson awarded the Nobel memorial prize in economics - ABC

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