Professor Michael Ben-Gad is a Professor of Economics at City, University of London, where he has served since 2009. He previously held roles as Head of the Department of Economics (2010–2013) and Deputy Head (2008–2010). His research focuses on dynamic macroeconomics, taxation, public debt, immigration economics, and national security, with notable contributions to endogenous growth models and compositional data econometrics. He holds a PhD from the University of Chicago (1996) and has taught at institutions including the University of Houston and University of Haifa. Ben-Gad served on the U.S. National Academy of Sciences panel on immigration's economic and fiscal impacts (2014–2016) and received a 2017 Fellowship from the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA). His work spans academic journals (Economic Modelling, Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control) and media outlets (BBC, CNBC, Al Jazeera), addressing topics like Brexit economics, fiscal policy, and geopolitical challenges. He co-convenes the City Branch of Academics for Academic Freedom and is a founding member of London Universities' Council for Academic Freedom. His research grants include funding from HM Treasury/ESRC on fiscal policy and immigration (2011), the Israel Science Foundation (2007–2008), and the Samuel Ne'eman Foundation (2004). Professional roles include editorial board membership for Economic Affairs and membership of the ESRC Grant Assessment Panel (2021). He is proficient in Hebrew and contributes to policy debates on taxation, macroprudential frameworks, and defense economics.
Mauro Bambi is an Associate Professor at Durham University Business School and an Associate Fellow at the Institute of Advanced Studies. His research focuses on Macroeconomic Theory, Endogenous Growth, Habit Formation, and Behavioral Economics. He earned his PhD from the European University Institute (2007) and held positions at ETH Zurich and the University of York. He directs the Centre for Macroeconomic Policy (CEMAP) and has been recognized with the 2008 Italian Association of Applied Mathematics award for his PhD thesis. Education: PhD in Economics (European University Institute, 2007); Postdoctoral Fellowships at Université Catholique de Louvain (Belgium) and ETH Zurich (Switzerland). Research Interests: Macroeconomic Theory and Policy Design Endogenous Growth and Fluctuations Habit Formation in Economic Models Behavioral Economic Preferences Mathematical Methods in Macroeconomics Key Contributions: His work on habit formation models, time-to-build frameworks, and policy design has influenced macroeconomic theory. Recent studies analyze post-COVID demand shifts and pandemic economic impacts. Awards: 2008 Graduate Prize for Best PhD Thesis (Italian Association of Applied Mathematics). Advising and Leadership: Supervised PhD students like Federico Bertoni and Xinyi Xu. Directed CEMAP from 2019–2022, fostering macroeconomic policy research. Active in interdisciplinary collaborations at the Institute of Advanced Studies. Labs/Teams: Leader of CEMAP, collaborating with global institutions on macroeconomic policy analysis.
Per Krusell is Professor of Economics at Stockholm University and holds the Torsten and Ragnar Söderberg Chair at the Institute for International Economic Studies (IIES). He is a Fellow of the Econometric Society and served as President of the European Economic Association in 2020. He is currently the Secretary of the Prize Committee for the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. Education: PhD in Economics, University of Minnesota Research Interests: Per Krusell’s research spans macroeconomics , inequality , climate economics , labor markets , and political economy . He has made foundational contributions to understanding incomplete markets, wealth distribution, optimal taxation, and the macroeconomic effects of climate change. His work often integrates dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) models with heterogeneous agents to study long-run outcomes and policy impacts. Publications Trend: His recent publications (2022–2025) reflect a strong focus on climate policy , integrated assessment modeling , and macro-labor dynamics . Key themes include carbon taxation, labor supply responses to productivity growth, fiscal multipliers in heterogeneous-agent settings, and the macroeconomic consequences of vaccination and epidemic control. Awards & Honors: Fellow of the Econometric Society Torsten and Ragnar Söderberg Chair in Economics President, European Economic Association (2020) Secretary, Nobel Prize Committee in Economic Sciences Advising & Grants: While specific student names are not listed, his leadership roles in global economic associations and policy committees indicate extensive academic advising and grant involvement in macroeconomic policy and climate economics. Labs & Teams: He is affiliated with the Institute for International Economic Studies (IIES) at Stockholm University, a leading research institute in macroeconomics and international economics.
Claire Célérier is an Associate Professor of Finance at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto, where she holds the Canada Research Chair in Household Finance. Her academic career spans prestigious institutions including the University of Toronto (where she advanced from Assistant to Associate Professor between 2016-2022) and the University of Zurich (2014-2016). She maintains an affiliation with the People's History Lab and actively contributes to academic discourse through conference organization including 'Race, Equity and Public Policy' (2023) and 'Banks, States and the People' (2024). Dr. Célérier's research explores how finance can benefit households through multiple lenses including behavioral economics, asset pricing, and financial history. Her work investigates innovation in finance, diversity and inclusion impacts, and historical perspectives on financial systems. She has developed significant expertise in household finance, banking, and the intersection of finance with social issues, particularly racial disparities in financial markets as demonstrated in her award-winning research on the Freedman's Savings Bank. Her scholarly output shows a clear trajectory from foundational work on security design and investor behavior toward increasingly socially relevant research on financial inclusion, racial equity, and household financial decision-making. Recent publications demonstrate her growing focus on historical contexts of financial systems and their contemporary implications, particularly regarding marginalized communities. Canada Research Chair in Household Finance (2024) Bank of Canada Governor's Award (2022) University of Toronto Top 5% Merit Award (2021) Petro Canada Young Innovators Award Program (2021) Multiple Rotman School of Management Teaching Awards (2019-2021) Ieke van den Burg Prize for Research on Systemic Risk (2015) Dr. Célérier has successfully secured substantial research funding including Insight Development Grants (CAD 54,500), Connaught Research Grant (CAD 10,000), and the Marianne and Marcus Wallenberg Foundation Grant (EUR 400,000). She mentors several PhD students including Andrada Bilan (2020), Alexey Vasilenko (2023), and Purnoor Tak (Expected 2026), and has supervised numerous master's theses at both University of Toronto and University of Zurich. Her service contributions include Rotman School of Management MBA program committee, executive committee, seminar coordination, and faculty recruiting committee.
Rizwan Ahmed is a Senior Lecturer in Accounting and Finance at the University of Kent 's Kent Business School . He serves as Director of Studies for the Department for Accounting and Finance, with prior experience as an Assistant Professor at institutions like the University of Birmingham, Cardiff Business School, and Birkbeck University of London. His research focuses on Sustainable Finance , FinTech , and Corporate Governance , with funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for collaborative projects. Fellowship of Higher Education Academy (HEA-UK) Associate Fellow Member, Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI-UK) His publications in journals like Energy Economics and International Journal of Finance and Economics examine intersections between climate risk, financial markets, and regulatory frameworks. He supervises PhD research in areas including Sustainable Finance, Climate Finance, and Corporate Governance in the financial sector. Research Trends Recent articles analyze climate change impacts , energy market spillovers , and ESG performance under sanctions, utilizing empirical methods and data from the UK, China, and emerging economies. Methodological innovations include cross-quantilogram analysis and portfolio optimization frameworks. Scientific Awards Fellowship of Higher Education Academy (HEA-UK) Associate Fellow Member, Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI-UK) Rizwan also acts as a peer reviewer for journals including International Review of Financial Analysis and Technological Forecasting & Social Change .
Athanasios TRIANTAFYLLOU is an Associate Professor of Finance at IÉSEG School of Management in France. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Athens (2017) and has held academic positions including Visiting Professor at Cornell University (2019), Lecturer at the University of Essex (2017–2022), and General Equilibrium Modeler at the National Technical University of Athens (2015). His research focuses on commodity markets, volatility forecasting, risk management, and monetary economics. Key contributions include analyzing commodity price uncertainty's impact on economic activity and financial markets. He has published extensively in journals like Journal of Futures Markets , Economics Letters , and International Journal of Finance and Economics . Education includes a BSc in Mathematics (2008), MSc in Accounting and Finance (2010), and M.Phil. in Economics (2013), all from Greek institutions. Professional experience includes risk management consulting at Ernst & Young (2016–2017). His teaching covers financial derivatives, multinational finance, and commodity markets. Research highlights include exploring the role of commodity price uncertainty in global economic dynamics and the predictive power of market information in corporate defaults. His work often bridges theoretical econometrics with practical policy implications, addressing issues like inflation dynamics driven by oil market risks and the tourism-led growth hypothesis in the Eurozone. TRIANTAFYLLOU’s publications emphasize volatility modeling, commodity market linkages, and the interplay between economic uncertainty and financial stability.
Todd Sorensen is an Associate Teaching Professor at the University of California, Merced (UC Merced), affiliated with the School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Arts and the Economics and Business Management department. He holds fellowships at IZA (Institute of Labor Economics) and GLO (Global Labor Organization). Prior to UC Merced, he served as an Associate Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno (2014–2023) and an Assistant Professor at UC Riverside (2007–2014). His professional journey includes a visiting role as Visiting Associate Professor at UC Merced before his current appointment in 2022. Education: PhD in Economics, University of Arizona, 2007 Research Interests: Todd's work focuses on labor market structures , exploring topics like monopsony power and wage-setting dynamics; immigration , including its demographic and policy implications; and discrimination , particularly in criminal sentencing and labor markets. His research has been published in journals like ILR Review , Labour Economics , and the Journal of Population Economics , with findings cited in the U.S. Economic Report of the President. Scientific Awards: Fellow at IZA (2022–present) Fellow at GLO (2022–present) Advising & Grants: Todd has advised students across various levels but no specific advisees are listed. His grants and funding sources are not detailed in the provided text. He collaborates with interdisciplinary teams and maintains affiliations across UC campuses through his and his spouse’s academic careers. Labs/Teams: Engaged with research networks at IZA and GLO, focusing on labor market policies and migration studies. Active in collaborative projects analyzing immigration trends, labor market competition, and discrimination metrics.
Mungo Wilson is a Professor of Finance at the Saïd Business School , University of Oxford, and an associate member of the Oxford-Man Institute of Quantitative Finance. He holds a PPE degree from Oxford, an MSc in Economics from LSE, and a PhD in Economics from Harvard. His research focuses on asset pricing, credit risk, mutual funds, and macroeconomic influences on financial markets. He has published extensively in top journals and engages actively with industry through board roles and advisory work. Education : Bachelor's in Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE), University of Oxford MSc Economics, London School of Economics PhD in Economics, Harvard University Research Interests : Assesses how macroeconomic conditions and credit risk shape asset prices Analyzes mutual fund behavior and market information transmission mechanisms Explores political dynamics' impact on financial markets His professional engagements include board memberships with funds like EA Asia Absolute Return Master Fund and advisory roles at Broadwell Capital. Teaching focuses on microeconomics for MBA programs, covering game theory, market structures, and price discrimination. Advisory & Grants : Supervises doctoral students at Saïd Business School and serves on programme committees for major finance conferences (e.g., European Finance Association, CEPR Annual Spring Symposium). Awards : While no specific prizes are listed, his impactful research has been widely cited and presented globally.
Heather Congdon Fors is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Economics, University of Gothenburg. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Gothenburg (2006), an M.A. in Economics from the University of Waterloo (1999), and a B.A. (Honours) in Economics from the University of Manitoba (1997). Her research focuses on development economics, education, child labor, and political economy. She has led the research project 'Child labor and school attendance in India' (2014–2018) and serves as a reviewer for journals such as the European Journal of Political Economy and Economic Inquiry. Her teaching expertise includes macroeconomics, statistics, institutional economics, and international economics. She has completed pedagogical training programs including HPE201 to HPE103. Her work explores topics such as the impact of globalization on education, land certification on schooling in Ethiopia, and the persistence of harmful cultural norms like female genital cutting in Africa. She has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and authored reports on child labor policies, institutional change in post-colonial states, and gender biases in education. Fors has contributed to interdisciplinary projects, including analyses of bureaucrats' use of cost-benefit analysis in environmental policy and the long-term impacts of colonial missions on cultural practices. Her research bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical studies, addressing global challenges such as sustainable development goals and educational inequalities. She is based at Vasagatan 1, Gothenburg, and can be reached at heather.fors@economics.gu.se.
Stephen Marglin is the Walter S. Barker Professor of Economics at Harvard University, Department of Economics. His research critically examines foundational assumptions of economics, particularly how economic theories marginalize community and cultural values. He explores labor-surplus economies, cost-benefit analysis, and macroeconomic adjustment processes. His work challenges mainstream economics through publications like The Dismal Science: How Thinking Like an Economist Undermines Community (2008). Marglin also advises governments and international agencies on economic policy, including recent tax reform work in Puerto Rico. His teaching integrates standard economics with critical perspectives, focusing on modernity's cultural impact and globalization. Research interests include development economics, economic theory, and the interplay between economic systems and cultural values. His articles span Keynesian theory reinterpretation, labor dynamics, and critiques of neoclassical economics. Marglin collaborates with his spouse, anthropologist Frédérique Apffel-Marglin, blending economic and cultural analyses. Personal interests include gardening, animal husbandry, and family life. He has held roles such as adviser to governments and institutions, emphasizing policy relevance. His academic contributions are translated into multiple languages, reflecting global influence.
Zhi Da is the Howard J. and Geraldine F. Korth Chair in Finance and Professor of Finance at the University of Notre Dame , Mendoza College of Business, Department of Finance. He completed his Ph.D. in Finance at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management (2006), preceded by an M.Sc. in Financial Engineering from the National University of Singapore (2001) and a B.B.A. with First-Class Honors (1999) from the same institution. Holding editorial roles at Journal of Finance , Management Science , Review of Financial Studies and several other top journals, he is a leading voice in empirical finance research. Education Ph.D. in Finance, 2006 – Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University M.Sc. in Financial Engineering, 2001 – National University of Singapore B.B.A. (1st Class Honors), 1999 – National University of Singapore Research Interests Zhi Da’s scholarship sits at the intersection of asset pricing , behavioral finance , and market microstructure . He investigates how investor attention, institutional trading, liquidity frictions, and information flows jointly determine the cross-section of expected returns. His work delves into retail margin trading, the role of pension-fund flows in exchange-rate dynamics, the informational content of SEC filings, and the efficiency of short-selling mechanisms. By combining large-scale data analytics, textual analysis, and structural modeling, he uncovers novel predictors of returns ranging from presidential approval ratings to real-time attention measures. Recent projects explore fractional trading ’s impact on price efficiency, hedging demand as a driver of intraday momentum, and the hidden effort problem in delegated portfolio management. These themes collectively advance our understanding of limits to arbitrage and the formation of extrapolative beliefs. Publication Landscape Spanning 2025 back to 2009, his 15 most recent articles in Journal of Finance , Review of Financial Studies , Management Science , Journal of Financial Economics , and Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis converge on three broad motifs: (1) micro-level trading frictions—liquidity costs, margin requirements, and short-selling constraints; (2) macro-finance linkages—exchange rates, fiscal policy, and global capital flows; and (3) information economics—attention allocation, media analytics, and regulatory disclosures. The collective evidence demonstrates that seemingly small trading or informational frictions aggregate into large, persistent cross-sectional return predictability. Honors and Awards 2017 William F. Sharpe Award for Best Paper, Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis Lead-article distinctions in Journal of Finance , Review of Financial Studies , and Management Science Featured coverage in SmartMoney and CNBC Teaching & Mentorship At Notre Dame’s Mendoza College, Professor Da teaches Investments (undergraduate and MBA) and Fixed Income Securities , integrating cutting-edge research insights into the curriculum. While specific advisees are not listed, his extensive co-author network (22+ recurring collaborators) attests to a vibrant mentoring environment. Laboratory & Data Resources He publicly distributes the NAT (Net Arbitrage Trading) dataset, a stock-quarter panel of arbitrage positions used in Chen, Da & Huang (2019). This resource has become a standard tool for researchers studying arbitrage capital movements.
Atsuko Tanaka is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Calgary. Her research focuses on labor markets, health economics, and public policy, particularly examining topics such as female labor supply, skill investment, and pension reforms. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (2013), alongside advanced degrees from Cornell University and the University of Tokyo. Education Ph.D. Economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2013) M.S. Economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2010) M.S. Applied Economics and Management, Cornell University (2007) B.A. Agricultural Economics, University of Tokyo (2004) Research Interests Tanaka’s work explores how health shocks, financial constraints, and policy interventions influence labor market outcomes. She investigates topics such as post-educational skill accumulation via college loans, strategic medical treatment choices under reimbursement reforms, and the macroeconomic effects of pension system transitions. Her research combines rigorous econometric methods with real-world administrative data to inform evidence-based policy. Awards and Grants SSHRC Connection Grant (2022, co-PI: Apostolos Serletis) National Science Foundation Extreme Science Grant (2021) SSHRC Insight Development Grant (2016) Susan Jane Blake Kocin Award, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2011) Grants and Collaboration Her research has been supported by major grants, including SSHRC and NSF funding. She collaborates with scholars on projects like analyzing physician behavior under reimbursement reforms, auditing firm dynamics, and international aid allocation strategies. Her work bridges theoretical models with empirical evidence to address complex socio-economic challenges.
Pol Antràs serves as the Robert G. Ory Professor of Economics at Harvard University, where he has been a faculty member since 2003. He holds significant research affiliations as a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), where he directed the International Trade and Organization Working Group, and as a Research Affiliate at the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR). He also contributes to the Barcelona School of Economics as a member of its Scientific Council. His academic foundation includes a BA and MSc in Economics from Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona and a PhD in Economics from MIT (2003). Antràs specializes in international economics and applied theory, with recent research focusing on global value chains, the interplay between globalization and interest rates, market power in global markets, and international relations. His work examines how firms organize cross-border production, the implications for trade policy, and the structural transformations in international trade following events like pandemics. He bridges rigorous theoretical modeling with empirical analysis to address contemporary economic challenges. His publication record reveals a sustained focus on the evolution of global trade architecture, particularly the rise of production networks and their vulnerability to disruptions. Recent work explores unconventional intersections such as monetary policy's impact on trade flows and the political economy of ideology-driven foreign influence. His major scientific distinctions include: Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship (2007) Fundación Banco Herrero Prize (2009) Fellow of the Econometric Society (2015) Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2024) As Editor of the Quarterly Journal of Economics (2015-2020) and contributor to multiple editorial boards, Antràs shapes scholarly discourse in economics. His research is institutionally supported through NBER and CEPR affiliations, though specific grant details aren't publicly itemized. He maintains an active role in mentoring graduate students at Harvard. He drives collaborative research through leadership in the NBER's International Trade and Organization Working Group and CEPR's research networks, fostering international scholarly exchange on trade and globalization.
Wei Xiong is the Hugh Leander and Mary Trumbull Adams Professor in Finance and Professor of Economics at Princeton University, affiliated with the Department of Economics and Bendheim Center for Finance. His research centers on behavioral finance and capital market imperfections with a focus on China's financial system and commodity markets. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in Finance from Duke University (2001) B.S. in Physics from University of Science and Technology of China (1993) Research Interests: Professor Xiong's work fundamentally explores behavioral finance and capital market imperfections , pioneering studies on speculative bubbles , heterogeneous beliefs in asset pricing , and financing frictions . His recent scholarship critically examines the financialization of commodity markets , belief distortions during financial crises , and the unique institutional dynamics of China's hybrid economy , where state and market forces interact. Publication Trends: Xiong's 48 publications in top-tier journals reveal an evolving trajectory from classical behavioral finance (2001-2013) toward contemporary China-focused systemic analysis (2017-2025). Recent works integrate cryptocurrency economics, real estate risk management, and policy design in emerging markets, demonstrating methodological rigor through structural modeling and empirical analysis of large-scale financial datasets. Scientific Awards: 2012 Smith Breeden Award (first prize) for the best non-corporate finance paper published in Journal of Finance 2013 NASDAQ OMX Award for the best asset pricing paper presented in Western Finance Association Meetings Professional Activities: As NBER research associate and former Management Science finance editor (2009-2011), Xiong bridges academia and policy. He co-founded VoxChina.org to foster China-world economic dialogue and co-edited The Handbook of China’s Financial System (Princeton University Press). His keynote addresses at major conferences—including the 2024 Chinese Economists Society meeting on “Information Discovery in a Hybrid Economy”—demonstrate sustained policy influence. Labs and Initiatives: Xiong leads Princeton's Bendheim Center for Finance research initiatives and directs VoxChina.org, which produces influential policy analyses on China's economy. His recent work includes the NBER-commissioned study on commodity market risks and ongoing projects examining big tech lending models and data privacy impacts on digital finance.
Esteban Rossi-Hansberg is the Glen A. Lloyd Distinguished Service Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago's Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics (since 2021). Previously, he held professorships at Princeton University (2005–2021) and Stanford University (2002–2005). He earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Chicago in 2002. He serves as a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) and a Research Fellow at the Center for Economic Policy Research (CEPR). He co-directs the Becker Friedman Institute's International Economics and Economic Geography Initiative and is Lead Editor of the Journal of Political Economy . His research focuses on international trade, regional and urban economics, growth, organizational economics, and climate change. Key topics include city structure, offshoring impacts, spatial frictions, climate adaptation, and agglomeration effects. His work has been published in major economics journals, and he has received prestigious awards such as the Alfred Sloan Fellowship (2007), August Lösch Prize (2010), and election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2022). Recent work explores the economic geography of climate change, including adaptation strategies and migration dynamics. He has analyzed spatial distribution of economic activity under climate scenarios and the role of carbon taxes in reshaping global economies. His studies often use dynamic spatial models to quantify local and global economic impacts. His contributions span theoretical frameworks and empirical analyses, addressing policy questions like optimal industrial strategies, spatial equity, and adaptation to environmental challenges. He collaborates widely, with co-authors including Klaus Desmet, Stephen Redding, and others, producing influential papers on migration, trade, and urban systems.
