In this episode we talk with Matt Notowidigdo about negotiating. Matt is a Professor of Economics at Chicago Booth. He holds a BS in economics, a BS in computer engineering, a MEng in computer science, and a PhD in economics. He is currently a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economics Research, and he is a co-editor at American Economic Journal - Economic Policy Notowidigdo and an Associate Editor at the Quarterly Journal of Economics.

Sebastian Tello-Trillo is an Associate Professor of Public Policy and Economics at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia.

Alex Hollingsworth is an Associate Professor of Economics at the Ohio State University.

Henry Morris is our main editor. He is a student at the University of Virginia studying computer science and mathematics. or of Economics at the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs in Indiana University.

In this episode we discussed:

• Matt’s structured approach to managing no more than six projects at a time
• Time management with kids and boundaries after tenure
• Institutional differences in how research and teaching loads are supported
• Why lunchtime culture matters for faculty community
• A crash course on academic job market negotiations

📚 Resources mentioned:

• BFI EDE (Expanding Diversity in Economics) program: https://bfi.uchicago.edu/ede
• AEA Summer Program at Howard University: https://www.aeaweb.org/about-aea/committees/aeasp
• Book: Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss – negotiation insights from a former FBI hostage negotiator

🎮 Recommendations of the week:

• Overcooked – a co-op kitchen game for Nintendo Switch
• 👶 Alex’s rec: PBS Kids Apps
• 🛫 Sebastian’s rec: Altos Odyssey

In this episode we talk with Mushfiq Mobarak on how to work with governments and large organizations to implement research. Mushfiq is a Professor of Economics at Yale University with concurrent appointments in the School of Management and in the Department of Economics. He is also the founder and faculty director of the Yale Research Initiative on Innovation and Scale (Y-RISE). He holds other appointments at Innovations for Poverty Action, the International Growth Centre (IGC) at LSE, and the Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) at MIT.

Sebastian Tello-Trillo is an Associate Professor of Public Policy and Economics at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia.

Alex Hollingsworth is an Associate Professor of Economics at the Ohio State University.

Henry Morris is our main editor. He is a student at the University of Virginia studying computer science and mathematics. or of Economics at the O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs in Indiana University.

In this episode we discussed:

• The importance of teamwork, empathy, and comparative advantage in research
• Practical advice for managing research projects, teams, and work-life balance
• How to build partnerships with NGOs and governments for fieldwork
• Navigating organizational dynamics, credibility, and incentives
• Dealing with media attention and social media as a researcher
• Advice for early-career researchers

Recommendations of the Week:

• Mushfiq: Try Jamaican oxtail from a good Jamaican restaurant (for non-vegetarians)
• Alex: Merquén, a Chilean smoked chili spice blend, great on eggs and more
• Sebastian: Pisco Sour, a traditional Peruvian cocktail (with or without egg white)

Links & Resources:

• Mushfiq Mubarak’s website: som.yale.edu/mubarak
• Y-Rise: https://yrise.yale.edu
• Science Magazine policy forum on COVID-19 in low- and middle-income countries (March 11, 2022 issue) https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abo4089
• The NORMalizing mask-wearing program is a four-part, evidence-based model that tripled correct mask-wearing in rural Bangladesh and measurably reduced community-based COVID-19. https://poverty-action.org/masks

In this episode, we talk with Sandile Hlatshwayo about working in important institutions such as the Council of Economic Advisors and the International Monetary Fund. Dr. Sandile Hlatshwayo is an IMF economist who previously served as a senior economist at the Council of Economic Advisors. She holds a PhD in Economics from UC Berkeley and works in international trade, finance, and macroeconomics. The conversation covers career paths in policy economics, day-to-day work at the CEA and IMF, the importance of mentoring, and practical advice for aspiring economists.

Sebastian Tello-Trillo is an Associate Professor of Public Policy and Economics at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia.

Alex Hollingsworth is an Associate Professor of Economics at the Ohio State University.

Henry Morris is our main editor. He is a student at the University of Virginia studying computer science and mathematics.

Organizations & Initiatives Mentioned:

• The Sadie Collective: Diversifying economics, especially for Black women. Annual conference in February, research symposiums, and partnerships with Brookings and the Chicago Fed. More info: 'The Sadie Collective | Developing Leaders in Economics & Related Fields
• AEA Committee on the Status of LGBTQ+ Individuals in the Economics Profession (C^2): Support and mentoring for LGBTQ+ economists. Weekly research seminars and annual mentoring conference. Committee on the Status of LGBTQ+ Individuals in the Economics Profession
• PhD Excellence Initiative (Stanford): Rigorous, fully funded pre-doc program for underrepresented students. Led by Peter Blair Henry. More info: The PhD Excellence Initiative - Welcome

Papers & Research Mentioned:

• Rising Import Tariffs, Falling Exports: When Modern Supply Chains Meet Old-Style Protectionism - American Economic Association
• The US-China Trade War and Global Reallocations - American Economic Association

Recommendations of the Week:

• Board game: Hues and Cues – a fun, color-based guessing game for families and friends.
• Office hack: Over-the-door bike hanger for saving space.
• Glasses: Zeni (https://www.zennioptical.com/) – affordable online prescription glasses

Thank you for listening! Please subscribe, leave a review, and check out the links above for more information on the organizations and resources discussed in this episode.