Michael Luca
About Michael Luca
Michael Luca serves as the Lee J. Styslinger III Associate Professor at Harvard Business School, where he has worked since 2017. His research, which focuses on online platforms and behavioral economics, has been published in major academic journals and featured in prominent media outlets.
Work at Harvard Business School
Michael Luca has served as the Lee J. Styslinger III Associate Professor at Harvard Business School since 2017. He has been involved in teaching and research at the institution for a total of 13 years, having started as an Assistant Professor in 2011. His teaching includes elective courses such as 'Behavioral Insights', which examines the applications of behavioral economics for social good, and 'From Data to Decisions: The Role of Experiments'. Luca's work at Harvard emphasizes the intersection of data analysis and decision-making in business contexts.
Education and Expertise
Michael Luca holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Mathematics from the University at Albany, SUNY. He furthered his education at Boston University, where he earned a PhD in Economics. His academic background provides a strong foundation for his research, which focuses on online platforms and the implications of data for managerial and policy decisions. Luca's expertise extends to behavioral economics, finance, globalization, and technology and innovation.
Background
Prior to his academic career, Michael Luca worked as an Actuarial Analyst at CIGNA from 2003 to 2005 in the Greater Philadelphia Area, and later at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts from 2005 to 2006 in the Greater Boston Area. These roles contributed to his understanding of data analysis in the health care sector. His transition into academia allowed him to leverage this experience in his research and teaching.
Research Contributions
Michael Luca's research has been published in prominent academic journals, including Management Science and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. He co-authored the book 'The Power of Experiments', which discusses the significance of experiments in both corporate and governmental contexts. His work has also been featured in major media outlets such as The New York Times, The Economist, and The Guardian, highlighting his influence in the field of economics and data-driven decision-making.
Professional Affiliations and Initiatives
Michael Luca is actively involved in various professional organizations. He serves on the board of directors at the National Association of Business Economics and is a member of the academic advisory board of the Behavioural Insights Team. Additionally, he advises the CNBC Technology Executive Council. His participation in initiatives like the Race, Gender & Equity Initiative reflects his commitment to addressing societal challenges through research and policy.