Paul Krugman is an American economist, author, and professor known for his work in international economics and trade theory. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 2008 for his analysis of trade patterns and location of economic activity. Krugman has also contributed significantly to the field of macroeconomics, particularly in understanding economic crises. In addition to his academic work, Krugman is a prominent public intellectual and writes a regular column for the New York Times. He often discusses economic policy, inequality, and the impact of government actions on the economy. His accessible writing style has made complex economic concepts understandable to a broader audience.