Developmental economist Jayati Ghosh has been granted the esteemed John Kenneth Galbraith Award for 2023 by the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association. This recognition highlights her pioneering contributions to economics and her impact on society. The award announcement was made in March, with the official presentation taking place on Tuesday.
Established in 2003, the annual award is named after renowned economist John Kenneth Galbraith and honors his ability to blend scholarship and statesmanship, along with his remarkable achievements in research, education, and public service. Jayati Ghosh is one of only three Indian or Indian-born economists to have received this award, joining Sir Partha Dasgupta in 2007 and Gita Gopinath in 2021. Notable past recipients include Nobel laureate Joseph E. Stiglitz (2004), Angus Deaton (2009), and Dan Ariely (2017).
Ghosh’s research and writings, which have gained recognition from the Left, are centered on developmental and human-centric economics. They are of increasing importance for policymaking in the aftermath of the pandemic, as acknowledged by politicians and economists alike.
The award’s citation commends Ghosh for her breakthrough discoveries in economics and exceptional contributions to humanity through her leadership, research, and service.
Currently serving as a professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Ghosh is also a member of the high-level advisory board on ‘effective multilateralism’ established by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Her work covers a broad spectrum of topics, with recent focuses including the consequences of India’s Covid-19 pandemic, the challenges faced by women workers in the informal economy, and the aftermath of India’s 2016 demonetization decision.
Sitaram Yechury, Secretary-General of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and an economist, commended Ghosh’s work in developmental economics, emphasizing its significance in the post-pandemic era. Yechury emphasized Ghosh’s dedication to people-centric development, which has gained prominence in policymaking.
