RSB hosts Diverse Economics Conference with Richmond Fed

The Robins School of Business hosted the Diverse Economics Conference this month in conjunction with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. Maia Linask, associate professor of economics, helped plan the conference. 

“The goal of the event is to provide undergraduate students with information on the range of career paths open to economics students and resources to support them as they pursue those paths,” Linask said. “The event panelists and speakers highlighted the importance of diverse voices in economics and how diverse perspectives can enrich both the questions that we ask and the solutions that we construct.”

Students heard from economists and those with economics degrees about their career paths and how their studies played a role. Linask explained that the conference is intended to attract and inspire a diverse group of students to study economics.

Beginning with opening messages from Becky Bareford, the Richmond Fed’s first female vice president and chief operating officer, and Mickey Quiñones, dean of the Robins School of Business, the 100-plus students who participated in this year’s virtual conference received candid advice, lessons learned, tips on specific courses of study, and insight on the day-to-day experiences of various individuals.

Dean Quiñones shared in his opening remarks the importance of diversity in the field of economics, and how critical it is to inspire young minds to continue to diversify the industry.

“A field of study advances in the direction of the questions that are asked, and we need their questions and perspectives to help move the field in new ways,” Quiñones said.

Keynote speaker Amanda Bayer, an economics professor at Swarthmore College and visiting senior advisor at the Federal Reserve Board in Washington, D.C., gave conference participants an overview of the need for diversity in the profession.

“Economists think hard about how not to waste resources and help others,” Bayer said.

By diversifying the field of economics, “There is an opportunity to ask new questions and obtain a greater range of insights and perspectives to contribute to the conversation. … It provides for innovation,” she said.

Linask said it is crucial for the Robins School to host conferences like this in order to fulfill its strategic objectives and ensure every student has the opportunity to study economics if they wish.

“Diversity in the profession starts at the undergraduate level, and this conference is a way to support diversity beyond our own campus community,” she said.

You can find out more about the conference on the Richmond Fed website.