Summary
David Autor is Professor of Economics at MIT, and has proudly captained his department’s intramural ice hockey team for several years. He has been an outspoken advocate for student rights and the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the Department of Economics, all leading to his recognition as Committed to Caring.
Story
David Autor is a much cherished Professor of Economics at MIT. His research is centered on assessing the impacts of globalization and technological change on labor markets, including the impacts on skill demands and earning inequality. Besides, he has proudly captained his department’s intramural ice hockey team for several years.
Autor has been an outspoken advocate for student rights, as well as the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the Department of Economics. He aims to see students thrive: “I’m happiest when I see students powering through the challenges to realize the potential of great ideas. They always have [great ideas], and I’m there to help them realize that potential.”
David was recently honored as Committed to Caring, an MIT recognition of faculty members who go above and beyond in their mentorship of graduate students. According to one nominator, Autor “has been an advocate and champion for all of his advisees and for the cause of making our department a kinder, more compassionate, and more equitable place.”
Autor sits on the department’s Antiracism Committee, and one student wrote that “he has gone above and beyond to urge our department to reckon with the historical legacy of racism in the economy and our profession.” In addition, Autor helped design and implement a new graduate economics course focused on racism and racial disparities.
“I’m happiest when I see students powering through the challenges to realize the potential of great ideas.”
The much deserved recognition of Professor David Autor for his true dedication, along with the warm feelings his commitment elicits in students, can actually find a scientific explanation in psychology and sociology. As a matter of fact, Gordon Allport’s contact hypothesis, also known as Intergroup Contact Theory, states that, under appropriate conditions, interpersonal contact is one of the most effective ways to reduce prejudice between majority and minority group members. Having the opportunity to communicate with others enables one to better understand and appreciate different points of views and ways of life. As a result, stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination should diminish.
By promoting student inclusion, reducing racial disparities, and bringing together students from different backgrounds in the same sports team, Professor David Author is proving the contact hypothesis right.
As the saying goes, “never judge a book by its cover.” By always being respectfully curious about our fellow human beings, regardless of their origin, and trying to learn from them, we will gain invaluable knowledge – and, most probably, invaluable friendships as well.
A version of this story was originally published on the MIT site.