Note: this page is for the course hold in 2022-23 at the Department of Economics (DSE) of the University of Verona.
How to Survive and Prosper as a Young Academic in Economics
Research is hard. It is hard for everyone, even for the best researchers. There is no rule, magic recipe, or template: you have to learn it by trial and error, mostly error. There is also a lot of misinformation and false beliefs about our profession and daily job. I design this course to help Ph.D. students to reflect on and discuss their scientific career in Economics. At the end of this course, students should have a clear(er) idea of what they need to turn their Ph.D. into a job.
Learning outcomes:
- Analyze the process of doing a Ph.D. in Economics and reflect on what the market expects from a Ph.D. student
- Map professional competencies and develop a concrete plan to meet career goals
- Practice your writing and presentation skills
- Discuss how to manage pressure and maintain a work/life balance.
Main Reading List:
- The professor is in: the essential guide to turning your Ph.D. into a job (2015) by Karen Kelsky.
- The economist’s craft: an introduction to research, publishing and professional development (2021) by Michael Weisbach
- Doing Economics: What You Should Have Learned in Grad School – But Didn’t (2022) by Marc F. Bellemare
Module 1: “A Ph.D. in Economics” [Slides]
- Understand your market
- Find a research topic
- Develop your agenda
Useful references:
- Darren Lubotsky (2018) “A Few Tips for Being a More Successful Graduate Student“
- Pischke (2012) “How to get started on research in economics?“
Homework for Module 2: write a recommendation letter about yourself using this template (follow the instructions).
Send me your file by email two days before class.
Module 2: “Scientific papers and publication process” [Slides]
- Scientific papers
- The rhetoric of economics
- The journal review process
Useful references:
- “Getting Your Articles Published in Economics Journals – Editors Offer Some Advice”
- Götz, F.M. (2019) Publish, but don’t perish to publish. Nature Human Behaviour, 3, 1009.
- Choi, K. (2002). How to publish in top journals.
- Hamermesh, D. S. (2013). Six Decades of Top Economics Publishing: Who and How?. Journal of Economic Literature, 51(1), 162-172.
- Alley, M. (2018). The craft of scientific writing.
- McCloskey, D. N. (2019). Economical Writing: Thirty-five Rules for Clear and Persuasive Prose.
- Greene, A. E. (2013). Writing Science in Plain English.
- Software: ProWritingAid
- The economist style guide
- Riviste DSE
- Paper used as an example of a good introduction.
Homework for Module 3: write a draft of your introduction using this template.
Send me your file by email at least one week before next class.
Module 3: “Write your draft” [Slides]
- Your introductions
- Scientific writing: exercises and examples
- Tables and graphics
Useful resources:
- Keith Head (undated) “The Introduction Formula“
- Davis (undated) “What Makes for a Successful Paper and Seminar?“: A good guideline for how to organize an introduction to your research results.
- Cochrane, J. H. (2005). Writing Tips for Ph. D. Students. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago.
- Online tool Datawrapper. Dataset for the exercise.
Homework for Module 4: prepare a poster (A3) of an existing paper.
Send me your file by email two days before class.
Module 4: “Communicate results” [Slides]
- Communicate your results
- Give talks
- Networking: seminars, conferences and workshops
Useful references:
- Schwabish, Jonathan A. 2014. “An Economist’s Guide to Visualizing Data“ Journal of Economic Perspectives, 28 (1): 209-34.
- Tufte, Edward (2001) The Visual Display of Quantitative Information.
- Video presentation of the book “Pitch Perfect”.
Homework for Module 5: Prepare a publication plan for your research. Explain why you want to send your paper to that journals. Think about editor and referees. Send me your file by email two days before class.
Module 5: “Plan your career” [Slides]
- Thesis and research portfolio
- Get fundings
- Teaching and academic services
Useful references
- Curriculum Vitae Template for Harvard Economics Job Market Candidates.
- General information on constructing/improving your Curriculum Vitae.
Homework for Final Assessment: prepare your package (CV, cover letter and website). Use the Foolproof Grant Proposal Template from the book The professor is in (pag. 339, top) and write the first 2 paragraphs of your grant proposal. Stress the large topic and the gap. You can work in groups.
Final Assessment: Be prepared for a Job Interview. You are applying for a position as Assistant Professor
Other useful references and resources:
- The American Economic Association (AEA) collects some useful resources on various topics.
- The Committee on the Status of Women in Economic Profession (CSWEP) offers interesting talks, material, and calls & announcements.
- Other links divided by topic (here)
Videos:
Marco Piovesan 