Introduction to the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Center
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is set to launch a new research center, the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work, thanks to a generous gift from the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Foundation. This center will be part of the Department of Economics and will focus on researching the future of work and wealth inequality.
The Mission of the Stone Center
The Stone Center will be led by Daron Acemoglu, David Autor, and Simon Johnson, all renowned professors in the field of economics. The center’s mission is to advance research on the causes and consequences of wealth inequality and to identify innovative solutions to create a more equitable labor market. The center will join a global network of 11 other wealth inequality centers funded by the Stone Foundation, working together to address the growing wealth gap.
Research Focus
The Stone Center will build on the existing research agenda of the Shaping the Future of Work Initiative, which was established with a foundational gift from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. The initiative applies economics research to identify ways to create a more equitable labor market, with a focus on revitalizing opportunities for workers without a college education. The center will extend its research to include the interplay between technology and inequality, as well as the role of the technology sector in defining future inequality.
Objectives of the Stone Center
The core objectives of the Stone Center include:
- Fostering connections between scholars from various disciplines, including economics, management, and computing
- Strengthening the pipeline of emerging scholars focused on issues related to inequality and the future of work
- Using research to inform and engage a wider audience, including the public, students, and policymakers
Support from the Stone Foundation
The Stone Foundation’s gift will enable the center to produce new research, convene events to share research findings, and promote collaboration between scholars. The foundation’s support will also allow the center to expand its public outreach and raise awareness about the urgent challenges of accelerating wealth inequality.
Reaction from MIT Community
The creation of the Stone Center has been welcomed by the MIT community, with Provost Cynthia Barnhart praising the gift as a significant advancement of the university’s pioneering economics research. Agustín Rayo, dean of the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, and Jonathan Gruber, chair of the Department of Economics, have also expressed their excitement about the center’s potential to enhance cutting-edge research and address complex social challenges.
Conclusion
The James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Center on Inequality and Shaping the Future of Work is a significant new initiative that will advance research on wealth inequality and the future of work. With the support of the Stone Foundation, the center will be able to produce new research, foster collaboration, and inform policymakers and the public about the urgent challenges of accelerating wealth inequality.
FAQs
- What is the mission of the James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Center?
The mission of the Stone Center is to advance research on the causes and consequences of wealth inequality and to identify innovative solutions to create a more equitable labor market. - Who will lead the Stone Center?
The Stone Center will be led by Daron Acemoglu, David Autor, and Simon Johnson. - What is the focus of the Stone Center’s research?
The Stone Center will focus on researching the future of work and wealth inequality, including the interplay between technology and inequality. - How will the Stone Foundation’s gift be used?
The Stone Foundation’s gift will be used to produce new research, convene events, and promote collaboration between scholars, as well as to expand public outreach and raise awareness about the urgent challenges of accelerating wealth inequality.
