Update: This list now lives in one place — a directory of 43 named economists on Substack, updated monthly. See the full directory →
In March, I started paying attention to economists who are actively writing on Substack. April continues that effort. Thanks to everyone who reached out and made recommendations.
For the year 2026, my list includes economists who were active on Substack. So I searched using the following criteria:
Substack writers who clearly identify as economists
Those who posted an article on Substack
Those who used their real names
One of my goals in documenting this database is to help my undergraduate students see the different types of economists and witness the variety of topics we study. If you know an economist, share their link in the comments. If you are an economist who uses your real name on Substack, share your work in the comments section.
How I explained this to my students
When students ask how to differentiate economists, I tell them to stop looking for one defining feature.
I break it down into four dimensions:
• the methods they use
→ for example, someone using econometrics or data analysis to study inflation
• how they think about the economy
→ for example, approaching a problem from a free-market perspective or a behavioral lens
• what they study
→ for example, focusing on energy markets, labor, or financial systems
• where they apply their ideas
→ for example, working in academia, advising governments, or working in the corporate sector
No single dimension defines an economist.
Named Economists Active on Substack
Claudia Sahm (last post April 27, 2026)
Scott Cunningham (last post April 29, 2026)
Arpit Gupta (last post April 5, 2026)
Carlos Chavez (last post April 2, 2026)
Carly Urban (last post April 15, 2026)
Peter Coy (last post April 21, 2026)
Andrew Jonelis (last post April 5, 2026)
Varun Gupta (last post April 24, 2026)
Claes Backman (last post April 16, 2026)
Ernie Tedeschi (last post April 21, 2026)
Djoann Fal (last post April 7, 2026)
Ken Yeung (last post April 28, 2026)
Mariana Mazzucato (last post April 2, 2026)
⸻
(More to come as this database grows.)