This past March, three students from the College of Wooster traveled to New York City to attend the International Political Economy (IPE) conference. Nancy Nguyen ’26, Ethan Hunt ’26, and Ethan Juhasz ’27 presented their research and met with alumni working in the city through an informal gathering. For all three students, this was an incredible opportunity to share their research, engage with professionals in their fields of interest, and receive feedback.
Nancy Nguyen ’26 presented a paper discussing the short-run impact of openness on GDP growth in Asian economies during the COVID-19 period. Her paper uses a panel data fixed-effects model and controls for capital formation, health expenditure, government spending, inflation, and population. While existing research suggests that trade openness has a positive impact on GDP growth in the long run, her analysis shows that the role of trade integration during periods of crisis may be more limited and dependent on domestic policy responses.
Reflecting on her experience, Nancy shared how this opportunity represented a highlight of her spring and final semester at Wooster, and how well-prepared she felt thanks to the feedback received from her advisors. Besides presenting her own research, she was also a discussant for a peer’s paper, which gave her the opportunity to practice providing professional feedback. For Nancy, the most valuable part of the conference was hearing about different research topics and expanding her knowledge, which helped her view global issues from a different perspective. Furthermore, she noted that the conference was an excellent networking opportunity, as she was able to meet alumni who also majored in economics and share insights about their career paths after Wooster. “It was great to see where a Wooster degree can lead!”, she reflected.
Ethan Hunt ’26 shared his research on whether climate finance produces broader economic development outcomes. His paper raises the main question: does climate finance generate broader development outcomes as an externality? By analyzing recent data, his research contributes to ongoing discussions about the effectiveness and broader implications of global climate investments.
He described the conference as an important step in advancing his Independent Study (IS), as he was able to get some feedback from peers. He also highlighted the value of engaging with peers who share similar research interests, as well as the opportunity to connect with Wooster alumni. These interactions, he noted, offered a clearer perspective on how economic research translates into professional pathways beyond college.
Ethan Juhasz ’26 presented his research on the determinants of exchange rate movements between the U.S dollar and the euro. His paper analyzes the role of macroeconomic variables such as GDP, inflation, and interest rates, while also engaging with ongoing debates about the predictability of exchange rates. By testing multiple models including univariate, multivariate, distributed lag and differenced regression, his work highlights both the potential and the limitations of using economic fundamentals to explain currency fluctuations.
Juhasz found the conference especially meaningful as a space to receive feedback and refine his research. After spending significant time developing his paper, he really valued the opportunity to discuss it with others and explore new directions. He also noted how hearing from fellow undergraduate researchers was both insightful and motivating, inspiring him for future projects. Beyond the academic experience, he appreciated building connections with students and faculty from other institutions, as well as strengthening relationships within the Wooster community.
There is a common theme across their experiences: the value of academic collaboration and community. Whether through presenting research, engaging in discussion, or networking with alumni, the IPE Conference provided these students with a space to grow as scholars and connect their work to broader economic conversations. Their participation reflects Wooster’s emphasis on independent research and mentorship, as well as the opportunities available for students to share their work on larger academic scenarios.