Michele Boldrin

Michele Boldrin is the Joseph Gibson Hoyt Distinguished Professor of Economics and Chair of the Department of Economics at Washington University in St. Louis. He also serves as Co-Director of the Center for Dynamic Economics (CEDEC) and holds visiting and advisory roles at institutions worldwide, including the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and the Bank of Japan. His academic journey includes faculty positions at UCLA, Northwestern University, and the University of Minnesota, alongside extensive visiting appointments at leading global institutions.

Education: Earned a Magna Cum Laude in Economics from Università Ca’ Foscari (Venice, Italy) in 1982, followed by a PhD in Economics from the University of Rochester (1987). Notable early roles include time at the University of Chicago (1986–1987) and UCLA (1987).

Research Focus: Boldrin specializes in Dynamic General Equilibrium models, with contributions to economic growth, business cycles, innovation theory, labor markets, and intellectual property policy. His work critiques traditional intellectual property frameworks, notably in the seminal book Against Intellectual Monopoly (2008). Recent research explores factor shares, labor dynamics, and the impact of technological progress.

Publications: Over 40 articles and books since 1987, including influential works on patent reform, social security systems, and the role of competition in innovation. His 2014 IER Lawrence Klein Lecture remains a cornerstone of debates on intellectual property.

Awards & Affiliations: Fellow of the Econometric Society, Editor of Review of Economic Dynamics, and Research Fellow at CEPR/FEDEA. Advisory roles span governments, central banks, and international organizations. He splits his time between St. Louis and Venice.