Raj Chetty on Teachers, Social Mobility, and How to Find Answers to Big Questions
May 24, 2017
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Economics professor Raj Chetty discusses social mobility, value of kindergarten teachers, why corporations pay dividends, and his love for Piano Guys. He reflects on his personal journey, upbringing in India, and innovative research approach. The conversation also touches on underrated US state, okra's role in success, and factors affecting social mobility in the US.
Early educational experiences shape individuals' success, with kindergarten teachers playing a crucial role in developing non-cognitive skills.
Geographic location significantly influences social mobility, with integrated communities in states like Utah and Iowa fostering upward mobility.
Innovative use of social network data, like Facebook, provides insights into causal mechanisms of economic mobility, expanding traditional research methods.
Deep dives
Cultural Influences on Raj Chetty: Early Life in India and Family Legacy
Raj Chetty shares personal insights into his family's background in India, from the roots of the Chetty business caste in Tamil Nadu to his parents' educational opportunities, which shaped his interest in economic mobility research.
Educational Experiences in Different Settings: Influence of Kindergarten Teachers and School Environments
Chetty reflects on the impact of early educational experiences, highlighting the importance of kindergarten teachers in shaping non-cognitive skills such as discipline and social abilities, with specific examples like his high school history teacher predicting his future career.
Understanding Geographic Mobility Patterns in the US
Chetty examines geographic patterns of mobility and social outcomes in the US, showcasing areas like Utah and Iowa that foster high upward mobility, highlighting the role of integrated communities and economic opportunities in shaping individuals' life trajectories.
Using Social Network Data for Causal Inference in Research
Chetty discusses his innovative use of social network data, particularly from Facebook, to explore causal mechanisms influencing economic mobility, such as connections between parents and children, aiming to uncover insights that transcend traditional research methods.
Future Research Directions: Leveraging Technology for Social Impact
Chetty shares his vision for future research focused on leveraging technology such as driverless cars to address urban segregation and enhance social policy, aiming to shape cities that promote integration and equitable opportunities despite technological advancements.
A high school teacher once told Raj Chetty he’d some day serve on the Federal Reserve Board. At the the time Raj thought the comment was silly, since he was busy working in the laboratory on staining techniques for electron microscopy and was set to become a biomedical scientist. About a decade later, however, and Chetty would become one of the youngest tenured economics professors at Harvard and would soon win both a John Bates Clark medal and a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship. Now at Stanford, he’s one of the most-cited economists in the world.
Raj’s conversation with Tyler spans that well-cited body of work and more, including social mobility, the value-add of kindergarten teachers, why corporations pay dividends, his love of Piano Guys, the most underrated US state, and why okra may have been the secret of his success.