Best Prof: Raymond Fisman

Raymond Fisman

Lambert Family Professor of Social Enterprise

Director, Social Enterprise Program

Age: 39

Institution: Columbia Business School

Hometown: London, Ontario

Marital Status: Married

Children: Erin, 2 years old; Charlie, 3 months

Education: Harvard University, PhD, Business Economics

McGill University, BA, Economics and Mathematics

Courses: The Private Sector & International Development

Managerial Economics

At Columbia Business School Since: 1999

Before Columbia: The World Bank, Consultant, Africa Technical Division and Development Economics Research Group

Fun Fact – “I used to run a dating service—strictly for research purposes.”

Professor Raymond Fisman is best known for his study of gangsters; economic gangsters that is. The Lambert Family Professor of Social Enterprise and director of the Social Enterprise Program shines a spotlight on the determinants of global corruption, altruism, and corporate social responsibility. In other words, Professor Fisman is interested in what makes people, companies, and governments do bad things.

His first book, Economic Gangsters: Violence, Corruption, and the Poverty of Nations, is a fresh look at the term “gangster.” Published by Princeton University Press in 2008, the book is an entertaining look at the underworld of global economic development.

Professor Fisman’s work has been covered widely in the popular press, from Maureen Dowd’s column in The New York Timesto al Jazeera to Shanghai Daily. He also writes a monthly column for the online magazine, Slate, where he addresses issues associated with women and leadership and the economics of civil war.

Fisman’s next book, a look at the economics of office life, is due to hit shelves in 2012.

Students Say:

Ray brings a gust of fresh air to the classroom, looking at unusual problems in original ways but gathering learnings that are useful for professional and personal life. — Juan Artisti, Columbia MBA Class of 2009

Professor Fisman is whip smart; shows you how economics can be used to parse a wide variety of complex business and public policy issues. He also challenges you to do the best work you have ever done. — Maura O’Neill, Columbia MBA Class of 2005

Raymond Fisman is among “The World’s 40 Best B-School Profs Under the Age of 40“