On the afternoon of March 28, Joel Mokyr, winner of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Economics and professor at Northwestern University and Tel Aviv University, visited Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE). He delivered an academic lecture titled “The Market for Ideas – Then and Now” at the university’s Art Center. SUFE President Liu Yuanchun attended and delivered a welcome address.
President Liu extended a warm welcome to Professor Mokyr. He noted that, as a leading scholar in economic history, Professor Mokyr has long focused on technological progress, institutional change, and economic growth, and that his research provides profound insights into the long-term development of human society.
Against the backdrop of an accelerating global technological revolution, how ideas are generated, disseminated, and transformed into forces that drive economic and social development has become a key question that urgently needs to be addressed. President Liu also referred to SUFE’s recent efforts in advancing its “Digital and Intelligent New Finance and Economics” strategy, emphasizing that universities should strive to cultivate innovative talents capable of understanding and leading technological transformation, while fostering themselves into open and dynamic “markets for ideas.” He remarked that Professor Mokyr’s visit not only brings cutting-edge academic perspectives but also provides important inspiration for deepening educational reform.
President Liu presented Professor Mokyr with a certificate of honorary professorship.
The lecture was hosted by Chen Yuanyuan, Associate Dean of the School of Economics.
The venue, filled to capacity with nearly a thousand attendees, reflected the strong interest among faculty and students. Professor Mokyr’s engaging lecture sparked extensive discussion.
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