Marshall Goldman is an expert on the economy of the former Soviet Union. Goldman is a Professor of Economics at Wellesley College and Associate Director of the Harvard Russian Research Center. Goldman received his Ph.D. in Russian studies from Harvard University in 1961. Goldman is well known for his study of the career of Mikhail Gorbachev. His books on the former Soviet Union include the USSR in Crisis: The Failure of an Economic System, Lost Opportunity: What Has Made Economic Reform in Russia So Difficult, and Petrostate. Dr. Goldman Taught American economics to students and general audiences while a Fulbright-Hayes Lecturer at Moscow State University in 1977; and in 1980s, he was invited by the U.S. Ambassador to the former Soviet Union to deliver a series of lectures on behalf of the U.S. Government.

He also has spoken on several invitational tours in China and has lectured throughout Western Europe and Asia. He has met with Mikhail Gorbachev, Vladimir Putin, former President George H.W. Bush, and President George W. Bush and continues to meet regularly with business leaders, diplomats, and government officials at the highest levels in both countries. Goldman is married to Merle Goldman, a specialist on modern China and Professor Emerita of History at Boston University.

On April 19th, 2013 Professor Goldman appeared on WCBV Boston 5 News commenting on the pursuit/capture of the suspects involved in The Boston Marathon Bombing. His comments angered many Southerners as he compared the terrorists to people from Kentucky and Tennessee who, "hate the government and regulation and go around attacking everyone". Merle and Marshall Goldman were panelists at the Connecticut Forum on Global Issues, Global Views on December 4, 1999.