research
PhD Jamboree celebrates 5th edition
The fifth annual BSE PhD Jamboree took place on May 17-18, 2018 at UPF's Balmes Building in downtown Barcelona.
The Jamboree provides doctoral students with a venue to exchange ideas and get feedback on their work in progress from a wider group of peers, because it brings together students from both PhD programs in the Barcelona School of Economics research community: the Graduate Program in Economics, Finance and Management (GPEFM) at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) and the International Doctorate in Economic Analysis (IDEA) at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). Both GPEFM and IDEA are organized jointly with the BSE. Many students in both programs are alumni of the BSE Master's programs.
The organizers leading the Jamboree this year were:
- Mario Giarda (GPEFM)
- Sven Hanold (IDEA)
- Ilja Kantorovitch (GPEFM)
- Tommaso Santini (IDEA)
"It was a great experience to collaborate with PhD students from both programs," the Jamboree organizers said. "We think it is a good opportunity to present your own work, get feedback in a friendly environment and at the same time get to know other PhD students from UAB and UPF. Every participant benefits from this stimulating environment, not just the presenters. All in all we are grateful to BSE for making this possible with a special thank you to Bruno and Anna for the smooth organization!"
This year, 22 papers were presented and discussed by GPEFM and IDEA students on a range of topics such as crowdfunding dynamics, unemployment insurance, oil price shocks, and monetary policy. The invited keynote speakers, both graduates of the PhD programs, were:
Maria Emilia Garcia-Appendini (GPEFM '07)
University of Zurich
"Financial choices, career choices"
Luca Paolo Merlino (IDEA '09)
University of Antwerp
"The private provision of public goods on endogenous networks"
Both of the speakers completed their doctorates before the Jamboree tradition began, and both were very positive about the format and the experience.
"Students presented their research in a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere and yet with academic rigor and under the formal format of top conferences," Dr. Garcia-Appendini said. "Their peers provided them with useful feedback, both in the discussions and in the lively discussions that followed. In sum, I think the BSE PhD Jamboree is a great initiative that provides students with the chance to know each other, learn what others are working on, and in the process practice some of the skills that are so important in academia."
Dr. Merlino agreed, saying, "I graduated from IDEA in 2009, and had (and still have) many precious memories of my PhD. I could revive those memories by meeting the new generations of BSE students. I was impressed by their determination and rigor, a clear sign that BSE is not only keeping up with our times but a leader in PhD education. During my PhD I have met many friends who became successful scholars in academia or leaders in the private sector. In the Jamboree, I have met new ones, who I am sure will follow this path. But first you have to finish your PhD: continue to work hard, and good luck!"
More about PhD programs and the PhD Jamboree
Download the 2018 Jamboree program
Highlights from the 2017 edition
The BSE PhD Jamboree is one of the research initiatives supported by the Severo Ochoa Research Excellence Accreditation.