Dr. Richard Murnane

Biography

Richard Murnane is an economist and the Thompson Research Professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He has been a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research for many years. Murnane has dedicated his career to studying the relationships between the U.S. economy and the educational system. Collaborating with MIT economist Frank Levy, he produced influential works such as 'Teaching the New Basic Skills' and 'The New Division of Labor'. His research also includes examining the effects of family income inequality on educational opportunities for children in low-income families, resulting in edited volumes like 'Whither Opportunity' and 'Restoring Opportunity'. Murnane has contributed significantly to the field of education research, helping to refine strategies for making causal inferences, notably through his co-authored book 'Methods Matter'. He is actively involved in research on the role of community colleges in equipping students with skills for a changing labor market. A member of prestigious organizations such as the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and an Education Fellow of the National Academy, Murnane continues to influence education policy and practices across the country.

Research Interests

Experience