Stephanie Kelton
Stephanie Kelton is a Professor of Economics and Public Policy and Interim Dean of the School of Communication and Journalism at Stony Brook University. She is widely regarded as one of the most influential economists shaping contemporary policy debates and is a leading authority on Modern Monetary Theory (MMT), an economic framework that challenges conventional views on government spending, deficits, and fiscal policy. Kelton’s academic research focuses on Federal Reserve operations, fiscal and monetary policy, Social Security, international finance, and employment policy. Beyond academia, Kelton has served in prominent public policy roles. In 2015, she was Chief Economist for the U.S. Senate Budget Committee, where she advised lawmakers on federal budget policy and macroeconomic strategy. She also served as Senior Economic Advisor to Senator Bernie Sanders’ 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns, helping bring Modern Monetary Theory into mainstream political and economic discourse. Kelton has held visiting professorships at institutions including The New School for Social Research, the University of Ljubljana, and the University of Adelaide, and previously served as Chair of the Department of Economics at the University of Missouri–Kansas City, a center of research for heterodox economic thought.
Stephanie Kelton Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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Professor of Economics and Public Policy
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Chair of the Department of Economics
Academic History
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Ph.D., Economics
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M.Phil., Economics
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B.A. and B.S., Economics and Business
RESEARCH EXPERTISE & THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Stephanie Kelton regularly consults with policymakers, investment banks, and institutional investors around the world, contributing to global debates on fiscal sustainability, public investment, and economic inequality.
Her work has been instrumental in reframing how economists and governments think about deficits, debt, and the policy space available to sovereign currency issuers.
Kelton serves as Chair of the Board of Economists for Peace and Security and is a Founding Fellow of the Sanders Institute.
She also founded and served as Editor-in-Chief of New Economic Perspectives, one of the most influential blogs in heterodox economics, and is a member of the TopWonks network, which highlights leading public intellectuals in economics and policy.
PUBLICATIONS & MEDIA PRESENCE
Kelton is a frequent commentator on national radio and television and is a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion.
In addition to her academic research, she has written for major publications including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, CNN, and U.S. News & World Report.
Her scholarly work appears in leading journals such as the Cambridge Journal of Economics, Journal of Post Keynesian Economics, Review of Social Economy, Journal of Economic Issues, and the International Journal of Political Economy.
Through her writing and public engagement, Kelton continues to shape how economists, policymakers, and investors understand the role of fiscal policy in modern economies.
RECOGNITIONS