Philippe Aghion

Philippe Aghion is a Professor at the College de France holding the chair in Economics of Institutions, Innovation and Growth, and a Professor at INSEAD. He also serves as a visiting professor at the London School of Economics. His academic work has established him as a leading figure in growth economics, particularly through his development of the Schumpeterian Growth paradigm.

Professor Aghion's research focuses on the economics of growth, innovation, productivity, and income mobility. He has pioneered the Schumpeterian Growth theory with Peter Howitt, which examines economic growth through the lens of "creative destruction" - where innovation drives progress by replacing outdated technologies and business models. His work analyzes the design of growth policies, the role of competition and industrial policy, the relationship between innovation and inequality, and solutions to the "secular stagnation" observed in developed economies. A recurring theme in his research is understanding how institutions shape innovation and growth dynamics.

The analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on innovation economics, environmental sustainability, and the relationship between technological change and economic outcomes. His work spans theoretical developments in growth models and empirical investigations using firm-level data, particularly from France. Key trends include examining how market competition affects innovation, the dynamics of green technology adoption, the impact of globalization on firm behavior, and the relationship between automation and labor markets. His research consistently connects theoretical frameworks with empirical evidence to inform policy design.

Professor Aghion has received numerous prestigious awards for his contributions to economics:

• 2001: Yrjo Jahnsson Award (best European economist under age 45)
• 2009: John Von Neumann Award
• March 2020: BBVA "Frontier of Knowledge Award" (shared with Peter Howitt)
• Fellow of the Econometric Society
• Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

As the holder of the Economics of Institutions, Innovation and Growth chair at the College de France (established in 2015), Professor Aghion leads a research team comprising more than twenty researchers. His chair focuses on cutting-edge research examining the economics of innovation, environmental sustainability, productivity dynamics, and household income mobility. His influential books, including "Endogenous Growth Theory" (1998), "The Economics of Growth" (2009), "Competition and Growth" (2006), and "The Power of Creative Destruction" (2021), have shaped the field of growth economics and provided frameworks for understanding modern economic challenges.