Dean Karlan

Dean Karlan is now the Frederic Esser Nemmers Distinguished Professor of Economics and Finance at Northwestern University and co-director of the Global Poverty Research Lab. Previously a professor of economics at Yale University, he remains the founder and president of Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to designing and evaluating programs that aim to alleviate global poverty. Under his leadership, IPA has expanded its reach with projects in over 40 countries.

Karlan's research primarily focuses on development and behavioral economics. He has contributed significantly to the field with pioneering research across various continents, influencing practical applications of microfinance to support impoverished communities. Alongside his academic pursuits, Karlan co-founded stickK.com and ImpactMatters. StickK.com is an innovative platform encouraging individuals to achieve personal goals through behavioral economic principles, while ImpactMatters guides donors with impact-based ratings of nonprofit organizations.

As an author, Karlan has co-authored several influential books, including "More Than Good Intentions: How a New Economics is Helping to Solve Global Poverty" and "The Goldilocks Challenge." These works blend rigorous academic research with real-world applications, offering accessible insights into improving the conditions of the world's poor. His work is not only academic in nature but also deeply integrated with real economic and policy issues faced by developing regions. His keynotes are often illuminating, detailing how economic strategies can significantly elevate the well-being of impoverished populations and what actionable steps audiences can take to contribute to these efforts.