Nobel begets Nobel

TL;DR

This paper analyzes the influence of academic networks on Nobel Prize outcomes in Economics, revealing that proximity to laureates can both positively and negatively impact winning chances, depending on the relationship type.

Contribution

It constructs and examines a detailed professor-student network among Nobel laureates and candidates, uncovering nuanced effects of academic proximity on prize likelihood.

Findings

Students and grandstudents of laureates are less likely to win.

Professors and colleagues of laureates are more likely to win.

Proximity effects vary based on relationship type.

Abstract

I construct the professor-student network for laureates of and candidates for the Nobel Prize in Economics. I study the effect of proximity to previous Nobelists on winning the Nobel Prize. Conditional on being Nobel-worthy, students and grandstudents of Nobel laureates are significantly less likely to win. Professors and fellow students of Nobel Prize winners, however, are significantly more likely to win.