Susan Helper is the Frank Tracy Carlton Professor of Economics at the Weatherhead School of Management , Case Western Reserve University . She also holds the title of Professor in the Department of Economics at the same institution. Beyond academia, she served as Chief Economist of the U.S. Department of Commerce (2013–2015) and as Senior Economist on the White House Council of Economic Advisers (2012–2013). She is a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, Non-resident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, and Co-Chair of the National Academy of Sciences. Education: PhD in Economics, Harvard University (1987) BA in Economics, Government, and Spanish, Oberlin College (1979) Research Focus: Susan Helper's research centers on the globalization of supply chains , manufacturing revitalization , and the interplay between technology, work systems, and policy . She explores how organizational structures, relational contracts, and digital transformation influence innovation, productivity, and job quality. Her work spans both theoretical and empirical studies, with a strong emphasis on policy implications for U.S. manufacturing competitiveness. Scientific Awards & Honors: Becker Friedman Fellow , University of Chicago (2018) Women of Achievement Award , Flora Stone Mather Center for Women, CWRU (2009) Professional Service & Impact: Helper has held influential roles such as Program Organizer for the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (2019–2024), Editorial Review Board Member for the Strategic Management Journal (2008–present), and Member of the Bureau of Labor Statistics Technical Advisory Committee. Her advisory work bridges academic research and federal policy, shaping strategies for industrial innovation and workforce development.








