I'm a Professor of Economics at NYU Stern. My research combines methods from economic history and applied microeconomics to examine the determinants of creativity and innovation.

I study the behavior of inventors, composers, writers, and scientists from the 19th century to today to figure out what makes people creative, what encourages firms to take the risks that are inherent in innovation, and what types of institutions encourage people to do their best work.

My book project Pirates and Patents examines the role of intellectual property in the development of the Western world.