Rate Professor Eric Maskin

Professional Summary: Professor Eric Maskin

Professor Eric S. Maskin is a renowned economist and mathematician, currently serving as the Adams University Professor at Harvard University. With a distinguished career spanning decades, he is celebrated for his groundbreaking contributions to economic theory, particularly in the fields of mechanism design and game theory. His work has had a profound impact on both academic research and real-world policy applications.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Maskin has an impressive educational foundation in economics and mathematics, with degrees from prestigious institutions:

• A.B. in Mathematics, Harvard University, 1972
• A.M. in Applied Mathematics, Harvard University, 1974
• Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, Harvard University, 1976

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Eric Maskin’s research primarily focuses on mechanism design theory, a field he helped pioneer, which explores how institutions and systems can be designed to achieve desired outcomes despite private information held by individuals. His interests also include:

• Game theory
• Social choice theory
• Political economy
• Intellectual property and innovation

Career History and Appointments

Professor Maskin has held numerous prestigious positions at leading academic institutions:

• Adams University Professor, Harvard University, 2012–present
• Professor of Economics, Harvard University, 2000–2012
• Louis Berkman Professor of Economics, Harvard University, 2000–2012
• Professor, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, 2000–2011
• Professor of Economics, Princeton University, 1985–2000
• Assistant and Associate Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 1977–1984

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Eric Maskin’s contributions to economics have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards and honors:

• Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, 2007 (shared with Leonid Hurwicz and Roger Myerson for laying the foundations of mechanism design theory)
• John Bates Clark Medal, American Economic Association, 1987 (awarded biennially to an economist under 40 for significant contributions to economic thought)
• Member, National Academy of Sciences
• Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences
• Fellow, Econometric Society

Key Publications

Professor Maskin has authored numerous influential papers and articles in the field of economics. Some of his notable works include:

• ‘Nash Equilibrium and Welfare Optimality’, Review of Economic Studies, 1999 (originally circulated in 1977)
• ‘Implementation and Renegotiation’ (with John Moore), Review of Economic Studies, 1999
• ‘Auctions and Privatization’, in Privatizing Russia by Maxim Boycko, Andrei Shleifer, and Robert Vishny, 1995
• ‘On the Robustness of Majority Rule’ (with Partha Dasgupta), Journal of the European Economic Association, 2008

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Eric Maskin’s work on mechanism design theory has fundamentally shaped modern economics, providing tools to design systems (such as auctions, voting procedures, and regulatory frameworks) that align individual incentives with societal goals. His research has influenced diverse areas, including public policy, market design, and political science. The 2007 Nobel Prize citation specifically highlighted his role in establishing mechanism design as a central framework for understanding resource allocation under asymmetric information.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

Professor Maskin is an active participant in the global academic community, contributing through lectures, editorial roles, and committee memberships:

• Delivered numerous keynote addresses and public lectures worldwide on topics like mechanism design, inequality, and intellectual property
• Served as President of the Econometric Society, 2003
• Editorial board member for leading journals, including the Quarterly Journal of Economics and Review of Economic Studies
• Advisor and consultant on economic policy and auction design for governments and organizations