Paul Ormerod is a British economist and author. He is a partner at Volterra Partners, a consultancy he co-founded, and a visiting professor at University College London, focusing on decision-making and computer science.
His research at Volterra Partners focuses on complexity, nonlinear feedback, and economic cycles, drawing insights from various fields like biology and psychology. He has held visiting professorships at Queen Mary, the University of Manchester, and Durham University, where he was a Distinguished Fellow from 2007 to 2008. In 2020, he became Chairman of the Rochdale Development Agency, overseeing economic development in Greater Manchester, and in 2022, he took on the role of chair for the Atom Valley Greater Manchester Mayoral Development Zone.
He has written several influential books, including "The Death of Economics," "Butterfly Economics," "Why Most Things Fail," and "Positive Linking," which often challenge traditional economic theories. Since 2013, he has contributed a weekly column to City AM, with selected pieces published in "Against the Grain: Insights from an Economic Contrarian."
Paul is also a sought-after speaker on topics like social networks and behavioral economics and has appeared on various podcasts to share his views on economics and public policy. He has received several accolades, including being elected a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in 2006 and awarded a DSc honoris causa by the University of Durham in 2009. His interdisciplinary approach has made him a respected figure in economics.