In its commitment to academic excellence, Sciences Po’s School of Management and Impact is delighted to report on its collaboration with Jason Furman, Aetna Professor of the Practice of Economic Policy at Harvard University. A distinguished economist with a remarkable career spanning academia, public service, and policy advising, Professor Furman has engaged with students and faculty this semester as a Guest Lecturer.

A remarkable career in economic policy and academia

Jason Furman epitomises economic policy expertise and academic excellence. He served as the Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers under President Barack Obama, where he was instrumental in steering the U.S. economy through the aftermath of the global financial crisis. With a Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard University and affiliations with prestigious institutions like the Peterson Institute for International Economics and the Brookings Institution, Furman’s contributions to fiscal and monetary policy debates are both profound and timely.
Currently, his work focuses on some of the most pressing issues in economics: inflation dynamics, labor market transformations, fiscal sustainability, and the evolving global economic order. His research offers critical insights into the macroeconomic challenges that are shaping our world, from monetary tightening in advanced economies to fiscal pressures in developing nations.

A fruitful involvement with Sciences Po’s School of Management and Impact

Professor Furman’s collaboration with our School marks our clear commitment to equip students with solid fundamental knowledge and critical thinking skills. His lectures on Understanding Macroeconomic Fluctuations have garnered enthusiastic praise from students and faculty alike for their depth, clarity, and relevance.
“I’m thrilled by the engagement I have had with students and faculty at Sciences Po, I always learn a lot that is informed by both a European and global perspective.”, Furman said.

Navigating Macroeconomic Uncertainty

The global economy stands at a crossroads, with macroeconomic prospects clouded by uncertainty. Adjusting interest rates, inflation developments back in the picture, geopolitical tensions and political morphing demand innovative policy responses. Jason Furman’s engagement comes at a time when understanding the interplay between fiscal and monetary policy and macroeconomic and financial developments is of particular relevance.
Natacha Valla, Dean of the School of Management and Impact, highlighted the importance of this collaboration: “Jason Furman brings invaluable experience and perspective to our school. At a moment when the global economy is confronting profound challenges, he managed to pick students’s curiosity with insights into what we know—and what we don’t know—about the macroeconomy. That is what our students need: a critical mind and a solid knowledge in economics.”

Fostering Excellence

The School has long been a hub for intellectual rigor and transformative education. Florent Bonaventure, the Executive Director of the School, noted: “Hosting thought leaders like Jason Furman underscores our dedication to providing students with a world-class education. This collaboration not only enriches our academic environment but also deepens our engagement with the pressing issues of our time.”

Looking Ahead

As Jason Furman’s lectures inspire discussions on fiscal policy, economic resilience, and monetary strategy, our School continues to solidify its position as a leading institution for sound economic analysis feeding decision makers in all sectors. This collaboration will give rise to further events. “Jason Furman will always be warmly welcome here”, Valla said.
“The global economy is at a challenging place with increased fragmentation, slow productivity growth in Europe and the possibility of a wholesale retreat from globalization in the United States”, Furman concluded. “This is precisely why building mutual understanding and exchanging ideas across the Atlantic is as important as it has ever been. And there is no better place to do that than Sciences Po.”