Runjing Lu

Runjing Lu is an Assistant Professor of Financial Economics in the Department of Economics at the University of Toronto. Prior to this role, she served as an Assistant Professor of Finance at the University of Alberta (2020-2024). She earned her Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California, San Diego in 2020 and holds a B.A. in Joint Mathematics and Economics from Emory University (2014).

Research Focus: Her work bridges empirical finance, political economy, and social media, analyzing how political and social sentiment shapes financial markets and household behavior. Key themes include sentiment analysis, policy impacts, and data-driven finance.

Scientific Awards & Distinctions:

• Best Paper Prize in Investments and Asset Pricing (Midwest Finance Association, 2023)
• Edmonton Journal Fellowship (University of Alberta, 2023-2024)
• Hugh E. Pearson Fellowship (University of Alberta, 2021-2022)
• SWFA Best Doctoral Paper in Financial Markets (South West Finance Association, 2019)

Teaching & Supervision: Lu teaches courses in financial economics, including Asset Pricing and Investment Principles, and has supervised students at the University of Toronto and previously at the University of Alberta.

Grants & Research Agreements: Her funded projects explore topics like the effects of violent protests on entrepreneurship, geographic sorting of innovation, and China-focused faculty research at the University of Alberta (2022-2024).