As a macroeconomist, his research centers on economic growth, productivity, firm dynamics and economics of innovation. Before joining the University of Chicago, Akcigit was an Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. In addition, he serves as a faculty research fellow in the National Bureau of Economic Research. Akcigit has received several awards for both research and teaching. In 2014 he was named a Kauffman Junior Faculty Fellow in recognition of his outstanding scholarship. Akcigit received his bachelor's degree in economics from Koc University in Istanbul. He then went on to earn his PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2009.