Jason Furman
Jason Furman is the Aetna Professor of the Practice of Economic Policy at Harvard University, jointly appointed at the Harvard Kennedy School and the Department of Economics. He co-teaches Ec10: Principles of Economics, Harvard’s largest and most popular undergraduate course. In addition, he serves as a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, where he contributes thought leadership on global economic and fiscal policy. A distinguished American economist, Furman’s career spans academia, public service, and policy advisory, making him one of the most influential voices in modern economic policy. His research and teaching cover a broad spectrum of issues, including macroeconomics, fiscal policy, labor markets, competition policy, and international economics. During his eight years in the Obama Administration, Furman served as a top economic advisor to President Barack Obama, playing a central role in shaping and implementing many of the administration’s key economic policies. He is also an active public policy commentator, author, and researcher, having published extensively in leading academic journals and major media outlets.
Jason Furman Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
-
Aetna Professor of the Practice of Economic Policy
-
Principal Deputy Director and Assistant to the President
-
Deputy Director and Deputy Assistant to the President
Academic History
-
Ph.D., Economics
-
M.A., Government
-
M.Sc., Economics
-
B.A., Social Sciences
CURRENT AFFILIATIONS
Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics
Member, Group of Thirty
Member, Economic Strategy Group
Trustee, Russell Sage Foundation
Advisory Board, Bund Summit
Advisory Board, Hamilton Project
Advisory Board, Brookings Papers on Economic Activity
Advisory Board, Washington Center for Equitable Growth
Jason Furman served as the 28th Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers under President Barack Obama, where he acted as the administration’s Chief Economist and a member of the Cabinet.
Throughout his tenure, he played a pivotal role in developing and executing the White House’s economic strategy during one of the most challenging periods in modern history — the aftermath of the global financial crisis.
Furman joined the administration at its inception, initially serving as Principal Deputy Director of the National Economic Council (NEC) and Assistant to the President for Economic Policy.
He also served as Economic Policy Director for the Obama 2008 presidential campaign and was a member of the Presidential transition team.
Before his service in the Obama Administration, Furman held senior roles during the Clinton Administration at both the Council of Economic Advisers and the National Economic Council, as well as at the World Bank.
RESEARCH EXPERTISE
Furman’s research and policy work provide critical insights into the macroeconomic challenges shaping the global economy, including monetary tightening, fiscal sustainability, labor market transformation, and the long-term effects of inflation and debt in both advanced and emerging economies.
He previously served as Director of The Hamilton Project and Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, where he worked to advance innovative policy ideas for economic growth and shared prosperity.
He has also held visiting positions at institutions such as New York University’s Wagner Graduate School of Public Policy.
Today, Furman remains an active academic and policy thought leader, contributing to research, commentary, and public discourse on the future of U.S. and global economic policy.
He continues to play a central role in shaping economic understanding through his teaching at Harvard University and his participation in several prominent economic organizations.