PhD students present research at annual conference
At the Department of Economics’ annual PhD Conference, 13 doctoral students presented their ongoing research. Held each spring, the conference brings together PhD students at different stages of their studies to discuss research in economics and receive feedback from faculty members.
For Axa Lares, the conference marked a first step into the world of academic conferences. She is at the beginning of her PhD studies and presented her work to a larger audience for the first time. Her research focuses on the role public policies can play in intimate partner violence perpetration and victimization.
“I was a bit nervous, but it was good practice! I am looking forward to getting my data, being able to move beyond the idea stage and really get my research going, as well as attending other conferences and meeting more people interested in similar topics.”
Stefano Tarroni conducts research in environmental economics and studies the relationship between agricultural biodiversity and social institutions in smallholder farming settings.
“Even though it can be stressful, I enjoyed presenting at the PhD Conference. It is often difficult to assess your own work, but the discussions helped put our research into perspective. The most useful feedback I received today concerned presenting in a format that is immediately interpretable.”
Approaching the job market
Yannik Obelöer is nearing the end of his PhD studies and plans to defend his thesis next year. At the conference, he presented his job market paper, Beyond the Patient: Parental Consequences of Child Eating Disorder Diagnoses and Access to Specialist Care.
“It was very helpful to get feedback from faculty members working on similar topics, but also insights from those working in different fields. In particular, pointers on the different forms of parental leave will prove very helpful moving forward.”
The department’s annual PhD Conference is an important part of the doctoral students’ academic training and development as researchers.
“As PhD Director, I see this as an important event for bringing the department together around research. It gives PhD students the opportunity to present their work, exchange ideas, and receive feedback from faculty and colleagues. Having the whole department present also helps strengthen our research community and creates connections across fields and among researchers,” says Andreea Mitrut, Professor of Economics and Deputy Head of Department responsible for research and doctoral education.
