Firm / Academics
Dimensional has forged deep working relationships with some of the world's leading financial economists to bring their latest theories and research to practice. Though bound to a rigorous scientific process, we also have an instinct for knowing what works with investors.
Financial science leads the way in understanding risk and return in securities markets. By maintaining a continuous feedback loop between the academic community, practitioners, and clients, Dimensional is always researching tomorrow's solutions today.
The Feedback Loop
The Loop
  • Academic leaders in the field of asset pricing find new sources of risk and return in advance of the industry.

  • Dimensional engineers strategies and brings client feedback to these financial economists and researchers for further testing and enhancements.

  • Empirical research becomes more relevant to practical investing, and practical investing is backed by solid theory and economic knowledge.
This is a continuous process to which we commit substantial resources, bringing increasing relevance and new opportunities to the development of science and practice. Increased understanding continually benefits Dimensional investors.
Academic Leaders
Professor Affiliation Expertise
George M. Constantinides,
University of Chicago
Board Member of Dimensional's US Mutual Funds Asset Pricing, Capital Markets Research
Eugene F. Fama,
University of Chicago
Board Member of Dimensional Fund Advisors, Consultant for Dimensional's Fixed Income and Value Strategies Efficient Markets Hypothesis, Random Walk Hypothesis, Capital Markets Research, Multifactor Model, Definitive Finance Text, Tax Research
Kenneth R. French,
Dartmouth College
Board Member of Dimensional Fund Advisors, Consultant and Head of Investment Policy Capital Markets Research, Multifactor Model, Tax Research
John P. Gould,
University of Chicago
Board Member of Dimensional's US Mutual Funds
Applied Price Theory, Former Dean of University of Chicago Graduate School of Business
Roger G. Ibbotson,
Yale University
Board Member of Dimensional's US Mutual Funds Capital Markets Research, Comprehensive "SBBI" Database (with Sinquefield), Data Consultant Firm
Donald B. Keim,
University of Pennsylvania
Consultant for Dimensional's Trading Cost Studies Capital Markets Research, Real Estate Securities, Small Stock "January Effect"
Robert C. Merton,
Harvard University
Resident Scientist Optimal Lifetime Consumption and Portfolio Allocation Theory, Asset Pricing Theory, Valuation of Derivative Securities
Myron S. Scholes,
Stanford University
Board Member of Dimensional's US Mutual Funds Capital Markets Research, Options Pricing Model
Abbie J. Smith,
University of Chicago
Board Member of Dimensional's US Mutual Funds Capital Markets Research, Financial Accounting Information, Corporate Restructuring, Corporate Governance
Related content from The Library
Professor French discusses the evolution of Dimensional's trading system and the role of tax management, momentum and the ideas of behavioral finance.
Related content from The Fama French Forum
Professor Fama was invited by the editors of the Annual Review of Financial Economics to contribute a professional autobiography. In this essay, he highlights some of the key ideas and their origins that mark his distinguished career to give the flavor of context and motivation.