In this article, we will delve into everything you need to know about Noreena Hertz, the famous economist and author that our readers at Zatrun.com are curious about.
Who is Noreena Hertz?
Noreena Hertz was born on September 24, 1967 and is a British academic, economist, and author. Since August 28, 2017, she has been hosting a program called “MegaHertz: London Calling” on Sirius XM’s Insight channel. Hertz has been an Honorary Professor at the Global Institute for Welfare at University College London since 2014, and also serves as Sirius XM’s chief Europe correspondent. In 2016, she joined ITV News as their Economics Editor.
In 2001, The Guardian described her as “one of the world’s foremost young thinkers”. In September 2013, Hertz was featured on the cover of Newsweek magazine. Fast Company magazine described her as “one of the most influential economists on the international stage,” and noted that “for over two decades [her] economic predictions have been accurate and ahead of the trend.” She describes herself as a “campaigning academic,” but has been described by Evening Standard critics as “a do-gooder who acts like a hero, moving from one high-profile good cause to another.” The British media has dubbed her the “Nigella Lawson of economics.”
Noreena Hertz is the eldest granddaughter of Britain’s Chief Rabbi Joseph H. Hertz and was born and raised in East Finchley, London. Her mother, Leah Hertz, a fashion designer and feminist activist, died of cancer when Hertz was only 20. Hertz was a very bright child and started her education at the age of 3, completing her A-levels at 16. She first attended North London Collegiate School and then went on to Westminster School.
Academic Career:
Hertz graduated from University College London with degrees in philosophy and economics at the age of 18. He then went on to attend The Wharton School in Philadelphia, where he received an MBA in finance at the age of 23. Hertz briefly worked at Triad Artists, a talent agency in Los Angeles, California, where he initially planned to pursue a career as a producer in the film industry. After gaining experience in the creative industries, Hertz worked as a consultant for the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Disappointed with the World Bank’s approach to post-Soviet reforms, Hertz resigned from his position and worked briefly for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Regarding the IFC, Hertz stated, “Early on, I tackled the issue of social safety nets and was surprised to see how my concerns were unequivocally rejected.” He returned to England to earn a PhD in economics and business at King’s College, Cambridge. His doctoral thesis, Business Relationships After the Russian Reforms, was published by St. Martin’s Press in 1997.
In 2009, Hertz was appointed as Vice President of Globalization, Sustainability, and Finance at the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University, and Duisenberg School of Finance. He is a member of the Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge and an Honorary Professor at the International Institute for Welfare at University College London.
Noreena Hertz and her Books:
In her book “The Silent Takeover: Global Capitalism and the Death of Democracy” published in 2001, Noreena Hertz drew attention to the serious consequences of unregulated markets, corporate greed, and powerful financial institutions on a global scale, warning that these consequences would mostly affect ordinary citizens. Random House gave Hertz a record advance and promised that the book would “sex up economics”. Although it became a bestseller, it was not well received upon publication.
IOU: The Debt Threat (2004): In her book “IOU: The Debt Threat and Why We Must Defuse It,” published in 2004, Hertz examined the debt problem in developing countries and presented a blueprint for economic development.
Eyes Wide Open: How to Make Smart Decisions in a Confusing World (2013): In her 2013 book “Eyes Wide Open: How to Make Smart Decisions in a Confusing World,” Hertz criticized the increase in unregulated data and offered simple solutions for readers to keep their lives under control.
Generation K (2015): In 2015, Hertz began a research project focused on young people aged 13 to 20, called “Generation K.” K stands for Katniss Everdeen, the rebellious hero of The Hunger Games franchise.
The Lonely Century: Coming Together in a World that’s Pulling Apart (2020): Noreena Hertz’s latest book, “The Lonely Century: Coming Together in a World that’s Pulling Apart,” was published by Sceptre in September 2020 in the UK. The author argues that loneliness has become the defining condition of the 21st century and has contributed to the rise of political populism.
