James Bessen — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

Executive Director at Technology & Policy Research Initiative, Boston University School of Law (since 2017)
Lecturer in Law at Boston University School of Law (since 2004)
Founded Bestinfo, a software company, developing the first WYSIWYG desktop publishing program (1984)
Author of 'Patent Failure' (with Michael J. Meurer) and 'Learning by Doing: The Real Connection Between Innovation, Wages, and Wealth'
Researches the economics of innovation, including software patents and the impacts of automation on employment and wages
Graduated from Harvard University (1972)

Biography

James Bessen is an economist and lecturer at Boston University School of Law, where he has served as Executive Director of the Technology & Policy Research Initiative since 2017 and as a Lecturer in Law since 2004. He is recognized for his data-led research concerning software and innovation, demonstrating the diverse impacts of automation on employment and wages. His recent work establishes links between investment in software and market dominance across various sectors.