Arthur C. Brooks, born on May 21, 1964, is an American social scientist, author, and academic known for his work on the science of happiness and its connection to various aspects of life. He currently holds the position of Parker Gilbert Montgomery Professor of the Practice of Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School and Professor of Management Practice at the Harvard Business School, where he teaches courses on leadership, happiness, and nonprofit management. He is also a CBS News contributor, a columnist for The Free Press, and hosts the podcast "Office Hours with Arthur Brooks".
Brooks' career spans diverse fields, including music, economics, and public policy. He began as a classical French hornist before transitioning to academia, earning a Ph.D. in public policy analysis. From 2009 to 2019, he served as the president of the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), a prominent think tank. He has written multiple books, including New York Times bestsellers such as "Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier" (co-authored with Oprah Winfrey) and "From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life". His upcoming book, "The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness," is scheduled for release on March 31, 2026.