John Austin stands as a distinguished senior fellow at the Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College, where he spearheads initiatives focused on bolstering international economies and fortifying democratic foundations globally. His work is characterized by the creation and cultivation of impactful international partnerships, notably the Transforming Industrial Heartlands Initiative, a trans-Atlantic endeavor. Austin’s expertise extends to fostering collaborations that promote and implement “ally-shoring” strategies and international alliances designed to ensure democracies maintain their leadership in global innovation and economic spheres. Further amplifying his influence, John Austin is also a non-resident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, an affiliation spanning over two decades. During this time, he has been instrumental in driving efforts to stimulate economic resurgence in the American Midwest and analogous industrial heartlands across Western democracies.
Prior to his tenure at the Eisenhower Institute, John Austin founded and directed the Michigan Economic Center for twelve years. This organization served as a pivotal network and policy incubator dedicated to accelerating Michigan’s economic evolution. It was during this period that John Austin coined the term “Blue Economy,” articulating the significant contribution of water resources and water-based innovation to economic advancement. He further championed this concept through the “Growing Michigan’s Blue Economy” Initiative, aimed at empowering stakeholders to harness Michigan’s abundant water assets, research, educational institutions, and innovative capacity for economic progress, job creation, and new business development. John Austin also initiated the Global Detroit program, recognizing and embracing immigrants as vital contributors to economic dynamism and renewal, and facilitated its adoption in communities nationwide.
John Austin’s commitment to public service is underscored by his sixteen years as a statewide elected official on the Michigan State Board of Education, the state’s primary policymaking body for education and higher education. He served as president of the board for six of those years, elected by his peers.
In 2006, John Austin established and directed the Great Lakes Economic Initiative at the Brookings Institution. His work has been profoundly influential in shaping the economic development agenda of the Great Lakes region, informing current national investments in sectors such as chips and science, innovation, and infrastructure. He also played a key role in advocating for increased federal support for Great Lakes environmental restoration and cleanup. Moreover, John Austin served as the founding director of the New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan, a substantial $100 million philanthropic endeavor designed to catalyze the region’s economic transformation.
Adding to his policy influence, John Austin acted as policy director for Michigan’s Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth, appointed by the Governor. He was the principal author of the Commission’s widely cited report. Furthermore, John Austin was the chief architect of Governor Jennifer Granholm’s urban strategy and was instrumental in establishing her Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth, as well as a comprehensive state workforce development strategy.
Globally recognized for his expertise, John Austin frequently lectures and keynotes international events, addressing themes of economic development, democratic strengthening, and fostering innovation-driven economies. His insightful work has been published in prominent media outlets such as Foreign Policy, the Brookings Institution, National Interest, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Hill, The Korea Times, TIME Magazine, Newsweek, Mexico Today, Politico, Fortune, Forbes, Barron’s, The Economist, BBC, Voice of America, Times Higher Education, and Nikkei News, among numerous other national and international publications.
John Austin’s academic credentials include a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Swarthmore College, where he graduated with high honors and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.
