Emily Oster

Emily Oster is an American economist and professor at Brown University whose research leverages statistical data to challenge conventional wisdom in health and medicine. Her transition into public writing began when she sought robust data to inform her own pregnancy decisions.

She is best known for her massively popular, data-driven parenting books, including Expecting Better, Cribsheet, and The Family Firm. Her works dissect common pregnancy and parenting rules, presenting the actual statistical risks to help parents make informed, anxiety-free choices.

Oster’s analytical, non-judgmental approach has revolutionized modern parenting literature, earning her a fiercely loyal following among millennial parents. She continues to guide families through data literacy via her popular newsletter and ongoing economic research.