Richard Holden Keynote Speaker

Richard Holden, a renowned economist, author, and professor who is celebrated for his influential work in economic policy and the political economy. He serves as a professor at UNSW Business School and is the director of the Manos Innovation Lab in Education. As President of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia, Richard is a prominent figure in the academic community, known for his profound impact on economic research and policy.

He holds an AM and a PhD in Economics from Harvard University where he delved into contract theory, organizational economics, law and economics, and political economy.

During Holden’s early career, he served on the faculty at the University of Chicago and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He went on to join the UNSW Business School in Australia, where he currently works as an economics professor. He has been a visiting professor at the MIT Department of Economics and the MIT Sloan School of Management, as well as at the University of Chicago and Columbia Law Schools. His dynamic teaching style and ability to distill complex economic concepts into accessible knowledge have made him a favorite among students and colleagues alike.

Additionally, Richard is a regular contributor to various media outlets like The New York Times and The Financial Times, providing expert analysis on current economic and political issues. His work has been published in leading economics journals including the Quarterly Journal of Economics, American Economic Review and the Journal of Political Economy. He has also contributed to top general interest science journals like Nature and other journals on political science and law. Richard currently serves as a fellow of the Econometric Society, the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia, and the Royal Society of New South Wales.

Holden is the author of Money in the Twenty-First Century: Cheap, Mobile, and Digital, published in 2024, which looks at how the three modern forces have redefined what “money” is, who controls it, and offers a glimpse into the future of finance.  He has also co-written several influential books on economics. As an accomplished author, his writing not only reflects his deep understanding of economic theory but also his commitment to applying these theories to real-world problems.

Richard Holden is a distinguished economist and professor, recognized for his contributions to economic policy and political economy. His work in market design and public policy has had a significant impact on both academia and real-world applications.