Christian Ahlin Lectures on Macroeconomics at the HSE Nizhny Novgorod

Christian Ahlin, Associate Professor of Economics at Michigan State University, has begun lecturing at the HSE Nizhny Novgorod. Professor Ahlin teaches development economics as an elective course for undergraduate students, Economics programme students, and second-year postgraduate students. He kindly agreed to give an interview to the HSE News Service.

— Christian, would you please tell us about your scientific interests?

— My main area of specialization is development economics. Focusing on the economics and politics of developing countries, I study different ways of stimulating economic growth and lowering poverty rates in these countries. I try to find out which methods and innovations made it possible for the members of poor households all over the world to get unprecedented access to financing for the last few decades. I also conducted some research on the relationship between corruption and development, and the determinants of inequality.

— What will HSE Nizhny Novgorod students learn from your lectures?

— During my course, whose level is on par with master’s programmes, HSE students will learn about the problems of economic development. They will study fundamental theories of economic growth, see the dependence of economic growth on the work of public and governmental institutions, the financial sector, and the supply of natural resources in the country. During our seminars, the students and I will study examples from my current research on financial issues, social inequality, and economic development.

— Thank you, and enjoy your stay in Russia.