Olav Sorenson

Olav Sorenson is the Joseph Jacobs Chair in Entrepreneurial Studies and Professor of Sociology and Strategy at UCLA Anderson. He has held prominent roles at Yale University, the University of Toronto, and London Business School. His research focuses on economic geography, entrepreneurship, social networks, and innovation. Sorenson co-founded Sociological Science and serves as Department Editor at Management Science, with editorial roles at top journals like American Journal of Sociology and American Sociological Review.

• Education:
• Doctor Mercaturae Honoris Causa, Aalborg University
• Ph.D. in Sociology, Stanford University
• M.A. in Sociology, Stanford University
• A.B. in Social Studies, Harvard University
• Research Interests: Social capital in entrepreneurship, regional economic growth, gender inequality, and science policy.

He has received prestigious awards, including the 2018 Global Award for Entrepreneurship Research and the Carol and Bruce Mallen Award. His work explores how social relationships influence economic outcomes, including venture capital dynamics, startup performance, and academic career trajectories.