Roland Fryer is a Professor of Economics at Harvard University whose work combines economic theory, large-scale data, and randomized experiments to better understand how opportunity is created—and how it scales.

His research has been recognized with a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship, the John Bates Clark Medal, the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, and ACTA’s Hero of Intellectual Freedom, among other honors. He was named to TIME’s 100 Most Influential People and has been featured twice in Esquire’s Genius issue.

Alongside his academic work, Roland has founded and built multiple companies across education, AI, and workforce analytics, translating research into operating businesses that serve millions of users. He is also a frequent writer and public voice on economics, technology, and opportunity.

Before Harvard, he worked at McDonald’s—drive-thru, not corporate.