Richard Patterson is an Assistant Professor at the Brigham Young University. He received his Ph.D. in Policy Analysis and Management from Cornell University in 2015.

His research interests are primarily in the areas of economics of education, behavioral economics, and labor economics. His work has examined the impact of technology in the classroom, the effects of behavioral interventions in higher education and household finance, and behavioral factors influencing college major decisions.

He joined IZA as a Research Affiliate in October 2018 and became an IZA Research Fellow in December 2023.