Seth Zimmerman has been named the Eli and Edythe Broad Professor of Economics, Education, and Management at Yale, recognized for his impactful research in labor economics and education.

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Seth Zimmerman, a prominent scholar in labor economics and public finance with a specialization in education, has been appointed as the Eli and Edythe Broad Professor of Economics, Education, and Management at Yale University. The announcement was made on 1 September 2026.

Zimmerman, who is part of the faculty at the Yale School of Management (SOM) and serves as a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, also holds a secondary appointment in Yale's Department of Economics within the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. This new position recognises his contributions to the field, highlighted by his extensive body of research that addresses critical issues in education policy.

Kerwin K. Charles, the Indra K. Nooyi Dean at Yale School of Management, stated, "By any measure, Professor Zimmerman is one of the most distinguished scholars in the world on the economics of education." His research explores vital questions regarding the educational success of students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and has led to actionable insights in school choice mechanisms, financial aid effectiveness, and overall education policy.

Zimmerman's work is distinguished by its real-world impact, including collaborations with local, state, and national educational entities. He began engaging with the New Haven Public School District as a Ph.D. student, analyzing its school choice system, which influenced its implementation strategies. At the state level, he serves on the Connecticut State Board of Education, and at the national level he collaborates with Chilean authorities to leverage AI technology in improving school match systems.

A Yale alumnus, Zimmerman completed his Ph.D. in 2014, returning to Yale in 2020 after a tenure at the University of Chicago. His influence extends beyond research; he is known for mentoring junior colleagues and enhancing the academic environment at Yale’s economics group.

Zimmerman received his M.Phil. and M.A. degrees at Yale and holds a B.A. from Dartmouth College.

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Read the full press release: news.yale.edu

Find out more about Prof. Zimmerman on his Yale Profile Page or on his Google Site.