As an economist in a policy school setting, my teaching focuses on demystifying the theoretical and statistical tools economists use to study important policy issues such as the minimum wage, affordable housing, paid family leave, financing higher education, the opioid crises, health care reform, immigration, public safety, and income inequality—all of which are topics for in-class policy debates in my undergraduate and graduate courses.
- For undergraduates, my goal is to teach them to “think like an economist” and be critical consumers of the constant flow of data and information they encounter.
- For master’s students, my goal is to show them how to use the tools of economic analysis to assess the costs and benefits of any policy proposal.
- For Ph.D. students, my goal is to provide them with the latest theories and techniques so that they can make meaningful research contributions that lead to productive careers in academia, government, or private industry.
Although I was a good teacher when I came to Northeastern, I am a far better teacher now, and that has been reflected in both my student and peer evaluations. My teaching evaluations have always been above-average within my department, college, and university but have also increased over time as a result of my desire for continuous improvement.
In recognition of my pedagogical efforts and achievements, I was honored to receive the 2019 Outstanding Teaching Award from the College of Social Sciences and Humanities. The award recognizes excellent teaching consistent with the values and goals of the college, including its commitment to the experiential liberal arts and creating diverse and inclusive learning environments, as well as having demonstrated a positive impact on student learning and well-being.
