William Easterly is an American economist known for his work on global development and poverty alleviation. He is a professor at New York University and has published several influential books, including "The Elusive Quest for Growth" and "The Tyranny of Experts." His research often critiques traditional foreign aid approaches and emphasizes the importance of local knowledge and market-driven solutions. Easterly has also worked at the World Bank, where he focused on economic development. He advocates for a more decentralized approach to aid, arguing that empowering individuals and communities leads to more effective and sustainable outcomes in combating poverty.