Becker Friedman Institute University of Chicago Courses

The Economics of Biodiversity Losses

Explore how biodiversity losses impact human wellbeing through economic analysis and natural experiments, examining the connection between species extinction and ecosystem services.

• YouTube
• 46 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Bad Medicine: Why Different Systems of Organized Crime Demand Different Solutions

Explore how crime is organized in Chicago, Medellín, and San Salvador with Chris Blattman, who presents evidence for tailored policy responses to different criminal systems.

• YouTube
• 44 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

AI, the Economy, and Public Policy

Explore how AI impacts today's economy and future implications with UChicago economists, policy experts, and Anthropic researchers discussing economic trends, policy considerations, and innovative AI applications.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 8 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

At What Age Does Family Income Most Shape Your Future? Timing and Intergenerational Mobility

Discover how parental income during ages 12-18 shapes adult outcomes more than early childhood income, exploring intergenerational mobility research and economic trajectories.

• YouTube
• 44 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Who Really Paid for the Tariffs - Liberation Day's Economic Aftermath

Discover how 2025's tariffs actually impacted the economy as UChicago economist Brent Neiman reveals who truly bore the costs and China's dramatic decline as a US trading partner.

• YouTube
• 29 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Moving to Opportunity - Together? Gender Disparities in Career Outcomes When Couples Relocate

Discover how couple relocations create lasting gender wage gaps, with men's incomes rising 10-15% while women's earnings stagnate, based on UChicago economist Matt Notowidigdo's research.

• YouTube
• 32 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

The Economics of Early Childhood - Why the First Five Years Matter Most

Discover why the first five years of life are economically crucial through Nobel laureate James Heckman's insights on brain development, early intervention programs, and lifelong outcomes.

• YouTube
• 1 hour 45 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Finding Your Why at Work - The Economics of Purpose

Discover how self-reflection workshops boost workplace performance through UChicago research on 3,000 employees connecting personal purpose to daily work for better fulfillment and business outcomes.

• YouTube
• 34 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

The Law of Unintended Consequences - How Dobbs Changed Contraceptive Choices

Discover how the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision unexpectedly transformed contraceptive choices across America through analysis of millions of health insurance claims and data patterns.

• YouTube
• 23 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

AI in Charge - Large-Scale Experimental Evidence on Electric Vehicle Charging Demand

Discover how AI-managed EV charging tariffs achieved 42% peak demand reduction through large-scale field experiments, demonstrating significant cost savings and carbon emission reductions.

• YouTube
• 39 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Human Capital for Humans - An Accessible Introduction to the Economic Science of People

Discover how love drives economic growth and simple economic principles illuminate parenting, marriage, jobs, and schooling through Gary Becker's legendary insights.

• YouTube
• 56 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Hate the Game - Economic Cheat Codes for Life, Love, and Work

Discover how to apply game theory and behavioral economics to navigate major life decisions like career moves, relationships, housing, and financial choices using practical strategies.

• YouTube
• 36 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

The Transformation of Capitalism

Explore how giant firms have transformed capitalism from Adam Smith's vision, examining production concentration, ownership diffusion, and the paradoxical blend of centralization.

• YouTube
• 45 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Economic Cheat Codes - How Game Theory Can Help You Win at Work, Love, and Life

Discover economic "cheat codes" using game theory to navigate workplace dynamics, decode performance reviews, and find your true market value in today's rigged economy.

• YouTube
• 36 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video

Human Capital for Humans - An Accessible Introduction to the Economic Science of People

Discover how human capital theory applies to everyday life through an accessible exploration of Gary Becker's Nobel Prize-winning economic insights on investing in people's skills and knowledge.

• YouTube
• 58 minutes
• Self-Paced
• Free Video