Sebastian Thrun
AI Visionary | Founder of Google X, Waymo, Udacity & Kitty Hawk | Inventor of the Self-Driving Car | Stanford Adjunct Professor
Paul Romer
2018 Nobel Laureate in Economics | Seidner University Professor, Boston College | Pioneer of Endogenous Growth Theory | Urbanization & Innovation Expert
Few economists have reshaped their field as profoundly as Paul Romer. His Nobel Prize-winning work proved that ideas, not just capital, drive lasting economic growth. Now Seidner University Professor at Boston College, Romer brings audiences a rare perspective on innovation, urbanization, AI, and the policies that unlock prosperity. Leaders seeking clarity on the forces shaping the global economy find in Romer a keynote speaker of unmatched authority.
Want to book Paul Romer as a speaker for your event? Please provide the info below and we’ll get in touch within 24h:
Paul Romer biography
A Nobel Laureate and policy entrepreneur, economics speaker Paul Romer has fundamentally changed how the world understands economic growth. As a speaker, Paul Romer draws on decades of pioneering research and high-level policy experience to illuminate the forces that shape prosperity in the modern era.
Romer’s groundbreaking work on endogenous growth theory showed that technological innovation, driven by purposeful investment in research and ideas, is the central engine of sustained economic expansion. This insight, that economies grow because people deliberately create new knowledge, earned him the 2018 Nobel Prize in Economics, shared with William Nordhaus. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences cited Romer specifically for “integrating technological innovations into long-run macroeconomic analysis,” a contribution that continues to guide policymakers and business leaders worldwide.
From Theory to Practice
Romer’s influence extends well beyond academia. He served as Chief Economist of the World Bank, where he championed data transparency and evidence-based development policy. At New York University, he founded the Marron Institute of Urban Management, focused on helping cities improve health, safety, and mobility during an era of rapid global urbanization. He also launched the Charter Cities Initiative, an effort to ensure historically marginalized populations share in the benefits of urban growth.
Now the Seidner University Professor at Boston College’s Carroll School of Management, Romer leads the Center for the Economics of Ideas, where his recent work examines how artificial intelligence reshapes productivity and the cultural foundations that allow democracies and economies to thrive. A conviction that coding literacy is essential to modern institutions led him to teach “Digital Self-Defense with Python.” A Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, Romer remains one of the most cited economists of his generation.
As a speaker, Paul Romer combines intellectual rigor with accessible storytelling, giving audiences the frameworks they need to think clearly about innovation, growth, and the policy choices that determine whether progress reaches everyone.
Paul Romer Speaking Videos
Paul Romer at TED - Charter Cities
Paul Romer - Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences 2018 Lecture
Paul Romer Keynote Topics
In this foundational keynote, Romer draws on the research that earned him the Nobel Prize to explain why ideas, not just physical capital or labor, are the primary engine of economic growth. He shows how deliberate investment in research, education, and knowledge creation produces increasing returns that compound over generations. The talk gives leaders and policymakers the intellectual framework to understand why some economies prosper while others stagnate, and what strategic choices drive sustained progress.
This century presents a once-in-a-species opportunity as billions of people move into cities. Drawing on his work founding NYU's Marron Institute and the Charter Cities Initiative, Romer makes the case that cities are humanity's most powerful engines of innovation, economic mobility, and shared prosperity. He explores how city-scale development can redefine what is possible, addressing critical issues including migration, infrastructure, technological adoption, and inclusive governance.
Romer weaves together his work as an economist, policy advisor, and former World Bank Chief Economist to address the most important macroeconomic trends and challenges confronting global leaders. He examines the rise of nationalism, shifts in trade policy, the role of institutions in fostering cooperation, and how governments can improve the lives of their citizens despite mounting complexity. The result is a compelling, clear-eyed assessment of the opportunities hidden within current challenges.
Drawing on four decades of studying how technology transforms economies, Romer offers a grounded perspective on artificial intelligence and its implications for growth, employment, and institutional design. He moves past industry hype to examine the structural economic and governance questions that will determine whether AI's benefits are widely shared or narrowly concentrated. The talk equips leaders with the analytical tools to think clearly about technology policy, innovation incentives, and the future of work.
In this intellectually rigorous keynote, Romer explains the theory that revolutionized modern economics. He shows how market-driven research and development generates new ideas that fuel sustained growth, why well-designed government policies, including public R&D investment and intellectual property protection, are necessary to foster innovation, and how these principles apply to the most pressing economic challenges of the present day.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Paul Romer
Why Paul Romer?
Paul Romer is a Nobel Prize-winning economist whose ideas have shaped modern economic policy around the world. His endogenous growth theory proved that innovation is the central engine of lasting prosperity, an insight more relevant than ever as nations navigate the AI revolution and rapid urbanization. As a former World Bank Chief Economist and current Boston College professor, Romer brings unmatched intellectual depth paired with practical policy experience. Organizations seeking a keynote speaker who can illuminate the forces driving the global economy find no more authoritative voice. Book Paul Romer through Aurum Speakers Bureau for your next executive or policy event.
What is endogenous growth theory?
Endogenous growth theory, pioneered by Paul Romer, is a macroeconomic framework demonstrating that economic growth is primarily driven by internal factors, particularly the deliberate creation of new ideas and technologies, rather than external forces. Romer showed that investment in research, education, and intellectual property produces increasing returns, meaning economies can grow indefinitely as people create and share new knowledge. This theory earned Romer the 2018 Nobel Prize and reshaped how governments and institutions think about fostering innovation and long-term prosperity.
What did Paul Romer win the Nobel Prize for?
Paul Romer received the 2018 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, shared with William Nordhaus, for integrating technological innovations into long-run macroeconomic analysis. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences recognized Romer's demonstration that market-driven research and development generates new ideas that fuel sustained economic growth. His work provided the theoretical foundation for understanding why some economies grow faster than others and how policies around education, R&D investment, and intellectual property can accelerate progress.
What perspectives does Paul Romer bring to AI and technology?
Romer approaches artificial intelligence and emerging technology through the lens of his lifelong research on how ideas shape economies. He examines how AI-driven innovation fits within the broader patterns of technological progress, what policy frameworks are needed to ensure its benefits are widely shared, and how institutions must adapt to an era of accelerating change. His perspective is especially valuable because it moves past industry hype to address the structural economic and governance questions that will determine AI's long-term impact on society. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to bring Paul Romer to your next event.
How to book Paul Romer as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Paul Romer as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Paul Romer's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Paul Romer or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Paul Romer speaking fee?
Paul Romer speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Paul Romer to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Paul Romer.
How can I contact Paul Romer?
We only work with Paul Romer on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Paul Romer and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Paul Romer speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Paul Romer for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Paul Romer for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Paul Romer is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Paul Romer for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
