The UAB to confer an honorary doctorate on economist Matthew O. Jackson
Economist Matthew O. Jackson will be invested with an honorary doctorate by the UAB, at the proposal of the Faculty of Economics and Business Studies, in a ceremony that will take place on 26 October at 12 noon in the conference hall of the Rectorat building. The ceremony will be presided over by Rector Javier Lafuente and streamed live on the UAB's YouTube channel.
Matthew O. Jackson was born in Elmhurst, Illinois in 1962. He obtained his degree in Economics, summa cum laude, from Princeton University in 1984 and was awarded a PhD in Economics by the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University in 1988. Since then, his academic career has included various senior positions and research activities.
He is currently the William D. Eberle Professor of Economics at Stanford University. His research focuses on the decision-making processes of economic agents and the consequences these decisions have for society. Professor Jackson has published numerous research articles in the fields of game theory, decision theory, social choice theory, and artificial intelligence, with wide-ranging applications across various areas of microeconomic analysis—such as finance, economic development, and the economics of information—as well as contributions to the field of political science.
But without a doubt, the field in which Jackson's research stands out for its innovation, leadership, and the relevance and impact of its contributions is the analysis of the role of networks in the economy and social life. His research in this area is considered pioneering and extraordinarily influential for the development of this field of research. For this reason, in 2022 he was awarded the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award in the Economics, Finance and Management category for “illuminating the key role of networks in the transactions of economic and social life”.
The UAB will award him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his role as the principal architect of research into the role of networks in economics and the social sciences. On 26 October, Professor Jackson will deliver a lecture on the impact of friendships and homophily on human behaviour and economic outcomes.
Due to capacity limits, it is necessary to confirm attendance at the event by filling out this form before 22 October.