Guido Imbens has always been interested in mathematics growing up. When choosing a university, it was quite clear to him what he wanted to study: econometrics.
Specifically, the course at Erasmus School of Economics was appealing to him, as it was well-known and highly reputable. He studied with much excitement and enjoyed everything the course had to offer. His most impressive experience was a popular lecture by Professor Jan Tinbergen, one of the most esteemed econometricians in the world and who, together with Ragnar Frisch, was awarded the first Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1969.
After his studies in Rotterdam, Imbens moved out of the Netherlands to obtain his master’s degree at University of Hull in the United Kingdom. Not yet bored from doing research, the Nobel Prize Winner went to Brown University to obtain his PhD. He started teaching at different universities in the United States and the Netherlands and became a professor at Stanford Graduate School of Business in 2012. He enjoys the opportunities to work with great students and to help them improve to set off their own careers. Moreover, he has supported policymakers to better incorporate the meaning of statistics in their decisions.
‘I have always valued the opportunity to work with great students, it is been a lot of fun to see them set off on research careers of their own to help improve the way we analyse data'
Prizes and recognition
All Imbens’ efforts for econometrics were noticed and in 2021, together with his friends and colleagues David Card and Joshua Angrist, he received the Nobel Prize for Economic Sciences. This prize was awarded to them for their contributions to methodologies for the analysis of causal relationships.
Not only worldwide, but also in the Netherlands there is lots of recognition for the work of Imbens. In 2023, he was appointed Commander in the Order of the Lion of the Netherlands, from the Minister of Education. His bronze bust was then also unveiled in the Hall of Fame of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science in The Hague.
‘Rotterdam was the leading place for econometrics and offered an interesting programme; I knew this was the place to go’
Comeback to Rotterdam
In celebration of the 110th Dies Natalis, Erasmus School of Economics honoured the success of their alumnus, by conferring an honorary degree, for his ground-breaking work in causal inference. Imbens was invited to the flag parade on the Boompjesboulevard along the Maas to raise a flag in his honour. This can be seen as an outdoor museum, with flags for many nationalities and important events in Rotterdam and the Netherlands. Additionally, for this special occasion, the Erasmus Bridge lit up in the green colours of the university. Moreover, Imbens participated in a game of chess at the Campus Woudestein. This chessboard was specially placed for Imbens’ visit and is still there in memory of that day.
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This item is part of Backbone Magazine 2024. The magazine can be found in E-building or Theil-building for free. Additionally, a digital copy is available here. Backbone is the corporate magazine of Erasmus School of Economics. Since 2014, it is published once a year. The magazine highlights successful and interesting alumni, covers the latest economic trends and research, and reports on news, events, student and alumni accomplishments.
