John List

Can economics influence people and reshape our understanding of human motives in everyday life? John List, a distinguished economist, explores how real-world economics can provide new insights into human behavior and resolve large-scale social, business, and economic challenges. His work navigates the motives underlying human behavior, utilizing innovative field experiments to unravel complex problems.

John List is the Chief Economist at Uber and serves as a Professor of Economics, holding numerous prestigious positions in the academic world. His role as the Homer J. Livingston Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago underscores his significant contributions to economic sciences. List is an author, notably of the international bestseller "The Why Axis" and the anticipated book "The Voltage Effect." His recognition extends to being elected a Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2011 and a Fellow of the Econometric Society since 2015. His academic achievements include over 200 peer-reviewed journal articles and several textbooks.

List's pioneering use of field experiments in economics has earned him considerable acclaim. In 2010, Forbes named him one of the Top 7 “New” Economists in the world, and he received the Yrjo Jahnsson Lecture Series prize in 2012. By embedding himself in diverse environments—from factories to schools and offices—List conducts large-scale field experiments that offer profound insights into education, market behavior, and more. His research has fostered collaborations with various organizations including Lyft, Uber, United Airlines, Virgin Airlines, and Google. Notably, his research has helped uncover strategies to bridge educational gaps, reduce urban violence, and understand market pricing dynamics. List's contributions extend to his role as an Editor of the Journal of Political Economy, further influencing the field of economics.

With a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point and a Ph.D. from the University of Wyoming, List also engages in academic activities at Tilburg University as a distinguished visiting scholar and at Resources for the Future as a University Distinguished Scholar. His unique perspective on economics makes his talks highly educational, offering audiences a deeper understanding of what drives human behavior and how to effectively address various challenges in society.