Reuters November 22, 2025
If your goal is to reshore manufacturing, of course that’s going to be more expensive because the reason it was offshored in the first place was because corporations wanted to lower..."
The Economic Studies program (ES) at Brookings is dedicated to fostering a resilient and inclusive economy using independent, innovative, data-driven research. With eight core teams, ES shapes the public debate and advises policymakers on promoting sound fiscal and monetary measures, economic mobility and opportunity, sensible regulatory structures, and equitable health policy. In the crowded field of economic think tanks, Brookings’ Economic Studies program distinguishes itself with high quality, original, and policy-relevant research that helps set agendas and develop innovative solutions. Our scholars are called upon by policymakers to lend their expertise to conceptualizing legislation, implementing rules and regulations, and evaluating economic outcomes. The Economic Studies program enjoys unparalleled convening power and brings disparate points of view to the table to develop solutions.
The Economic Studies Council engages leaders on the front lines of the economy with the work of the Brookings Economic Studies program. The Council is composed of a select group of individuals and corporations representing diverse facets of the economy. The private-sector experience of our Economic Studies Council members helps to further inform our research.
Events
Brookings experts speaking on the federal debt in the context of the 2024 election
Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook speaking at a Economic Studies event on May 8, 2024.
Private events
In addition to having access to the numerous high-level public events the Brookings hosts each month, the Economic Studies program regularly gathers top experts and scholars to brief the ESC on topics of interest. Between August 2023 and July 2024 we held 15 private online briefings and three private in-person events in DC, Miami, and London. These briefings have included former Acting Secretary of Labor Seth Harris who spoke about the UAW strike while it was ongoing, Linda Robertson on the potential challenges facing the Federal Reserve in the next administration, Ben Bernanke on the U.S. economic outlook, and Elaine Kamarck on the impact of the first presidential debate on the summer’s campaign. We welcome feedback and input from the ESC on format and topics.
Featured Experts
Ben Harris
Brookings Vice President and Director, Economic Studies program
Former positions
Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy and Chief Economist, U.S. Treasury Department
Economic adviser, Vice President Joe Biden
Senior Economist, White House Council of Economic Advisers
Senior Economist, U.S House of Representatives Budget Committee
Ben Harris introducing a recent event on Russian sanctions.
Ben S. Bernanke
Distinguished Senior Fellow, Economic Studies
Former positions
Chairman, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
Nobel laureate, Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences
Chairman, President’s Council of Economic Advisers
Ben Bernanke speaking with David Wessel at a recent event.
Donald Kohn
Robert V. Roosa Chair in International Economics, Senior Fellow, Economic Studies program
Former positions
Vice Chair, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
External member, Bank of England Financial Policy Committee
David Wessel, Carolyn Wilkins, Donald Kohn, and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook at a Hutchins Center event.
Wendy Edelberg
Director, The Hamilton Project
Former positions
Chief Economist, Congressional Budget Office
Executive Director, the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission
Wendy Edelberg in conversation with National Economic Council Director Lael Brainard. Brookings / Laurence L. Levin.
ES In the News
Axios November 6, 2025
Lauren Bauer was interviewed by Axios for a story on the government shutdown’s impacts on SNAP benefits.
Lauren Bauer
Fellow - Economic Studies, Associate Director - The Hamilton Project
New York Times October 10, 2025
Aviva Aron-Dine shares her perspective on the politics of health care subsidies during the government shutdown.
PBS Newshour September 16, 2025
David Wessel appears on PBS Newshour to discuss the September Federal Open Markets Committee meeting.
David Wessel
Director - The Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy, Senior Fellow - Economic Studies @davidmwessel
Vanity Fair September 4, 2025
This is a kill shot at Fed independence.” – Aaron Klein, speaking to Vanity Fair on executive branch threats to fire Federal Reserve governors.
Aaron Klein
Miriam K. Carliner Chair - Economic Studies, Senior Fellow - Center on Regulation and Markets @AaronDKlein
NPR August 22, 2025
Marta E. Wosińska joins NPR’s Planet Money to discuss the popularity of weight-loss drugs and their impact on the pharmaceutical industry.
Marta E. Wosińska
Senior Fellow - Economic Studies, Center on Health Policy
The Hill July 24, 2025
A lackey can’t get in there and just start cutting rates … You have to remember: The open markets committee is a committee. And by law, there are 12 members of that committee.”
Donald Kohn
Robert V. Roosa Chair in International Economics, Senior Fellow - Economic Studies
NPR July 23, 2025
Aviva Aron-Dine joins NPR’s Planet Money to discuss government spending.
CNBC July 22, 2025
Janet Yellen joins CNBC’s “Squawk Box” to discuss independence of the Federal Reserve, the state of the economy, and more.
Janet L. Yellen
Distinguished Fellow - Economic Studies, The Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary PolicyTo learn more about the Economic Studies Council and find out how to join, contact Richard Sosa, director of development, corporations, for Brookings’ Economic Studies program.
Richard Sosa
Director of Development, Corporations
Economic Studies, Brookings
[email protected]
202-797-6138