We congratulate our alumnus Simon Johnson (Corpus Christi College, PPE, 1984) on being awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences. Johnson, alongside Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson, was honoured for his pioneering research on the role of political and economic institutions in shaping national prosperity.
Simon Johnson’s academic journey began at Oxford, where his studies in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) laid the foundation for his influential career in economic research. During his time at Corpus Christi College, Johnson was taught by renowned economist Andrew Glyn, whose mentorship played a role in shaping Johnson’s early interest in economics. Glyn's contributions to Oxford's Department of Economics, particularly in his role as Director of Undergraduate Studies, left a lasting impact on generations of students, including Johnson. More information on Johnson's time at Corpus can be found here.
Johnson’s Nobel-winning work, alongside Acemoglu and Robinson, highlights the importance of inclusive institutions in driving long-term economic development, offering valuable insights into why some nations thrive while others lag behind. His research has significantly shaped modern economic thought, providing policymakers with key tools to address inequality and promote sustainable growth.
We are also pleased to highlight that Daron Acemoglu, one of Johnson’s co-recipients, served as the 2024 Sanjaya Lall Visiting Professor at our department, further demonstrating the continuing engagement between our academic community and leading global economists.
We extend our warmest congratulations to Simon Johnson, Daron Acemoglu, and James Robinson on this remarkable achievement.
Further information on their Nobel Prize win can be found on the Nobel Prize website.
