Indian-American economist Raj Chetty, renowned for using extensive data to dispel American Dream myths and highlight hurdles, has been honored with Harvard University’s esteemed George Ledlie Prize. Chetty, a Harvard Economics professor and head of Opportunity Insights, a team of economists studying inequality, advised President Joe Biden on economic matters as well.
Harvard’s Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Alan M. Garber, praised Chetty’s groundbreaking economic mobility research and his commitment to sharing findings with policymakers, fostering a more accessible American Dream. Awarded biennially, the prize acknowledges exceptional contributions to science or humanity’s benefit.
Chetty’s personal background, arriving in the US from India at age 9, fueled his interest in this research. Witnessing disparities between New Delhi and the US, as well as within his family, he noted that limited opportunities drove families to choose one child for higher education due to financial constraints.
Reflecting on his parents’ experiences, Chetty explained, “My parents… grew up in very low-income families and villages in South India… the opportunities they had were greatly shaped by the fact that they happened to be the ones who were picked to get a higher education in their families.” This selective education approach, he noted, resulted from financial limitations.
Drawing from his own family’s journey, Chetty highlighted the influence of education decisions on generational opportunities and traced his own path from humble beginnings to his current position at Harvard.
