Worldonomics: Recent Episodes
UQES Diversity Team 2024
Worldonomics is a podcast brought to you by the University of Queensland’s Economics Society’s diversity team. We endeavour to bring you regular exciting podcast episodes with leading academics and industry specialists as well as UQ students as we discuss the important economic issues of today.
Welcome to a new episode of the Worldonomics Podcast! Today, we explore an intriguing journey in our episode titled "Medicine to Markets: A Medicine Student's Leap into Quant Finance." Join us as we sit down with Franklin, a former medicine student who made a dramatic shift into the world of quantitative finance. We'll dive into the pivotal decisions that guided his career change, the role of luck in his unexpected transition, and the search for meaning in a field vastly different from his original path.
Grandmaster and Behavioural Economist David Smerdon discusses the reasons behind the gender gap in Chess, behavioural theories behind the gap, Smerdon's Scandinavian, his journey from Chess to Economics, and playing world champion Magnus Carlson (and almost beating him)!
To kick off this semester’s exciting lineup of episodes, get to know the diversity team and what makes up our individual perspectives. This week we discuss our personal uni journeys, what drove us to economics, and what makes us unique outside of uni.
In the third installment of our Internship Experiences series, we interview our very own UQES executives, Thomas Mitchell and Kosei Stephenson. Both Thomas (Publications Officer) and Kosei (Socials Officer and Sports/Culture Director) indulge us in their fascinating summer experience, working as interns in the finance function for Boeing Defense Australia.
In this weeks Worldonomics Podcast episode we interview our very own Vice President of Publications Charlotte Thorne. When she isn't busy writing and editing our publications pieces Charlotte has been wracking up Qantas points as she completed two summer internships, both in Brisbane and in Sydney.
Charlotte gained these internship opportunities as a recipient of the Pinnacle Women in Finance Scholarship. In this episode Charlotte tells us all about the scholarship and what she learnt from her internships at Resolution Capital and Hyperion Asset management.
The first interview of our Internship Experiences series, in which we discuss the highs and lows of Economics internships. Episode one features our own UQES Treasurer Olivia Uy and a discussion on her experience at J.P Morgan in Sydney this past summer.
This week the UQES Diversity team present an interview with Robin Barlow, founding director of NineSquared, an economics consulting firm based in Brisbane.
Robin has had a fascinating career, primarily focused on transport economics. In this episode we discuss the beginning of his career, his time in the public sector, and some of the ins and outs of how economic decisions are made in regard to public transport. Come back next week to hear Robin's perspective on private economic consulting, and the challenges and advantages of starting your own firm.
With the rapid rise in house prices since the covid pandemic, we have been put in a pretty unique situation. Home ownership for young people has decreased by 7% and the proportion of disposable income required to pay rent has increased by 14% since 2019 all while the top 10% of households grew their wealth by 12%. It is no secret that we are in the midst of a crisis but what if there was an easy way to combat this wealth disparity. Introducing: inheritance taxes.
In this episode, UQES is joined by esteemed economics Professor John Mangan to discuss why we should be bringing inheritance taxes back from the dead and why it is the “single most progressive tax” Australia could implement.
Johns paper on the inheritance tax: https://aibe.uq.edu.au/project/back-dead-australian-inheritance-tax
Johns researcher profile: https://bel.uq.edu.au/profile/3094/john-mangan
In this episode, UQES interviews KK Tang, a Professor at the UQ School of Economics and the current Acting Director of Teaching and Learning.
KK has a background in Physics, having studied a Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Hong Kong. He further pursued a Master in Economic Studies and Doctor of Philosophy at the Australian National University. In addition, KK has a Graduate Diploma in Applied Economics from Macquarie University.
KK has a keen research interest in applied economics, and has investigated development and health economics. Currently, KK is examining income insecurity, mortality uncertainty, inequality in opportunity, health inequality and mental health.
In the first part of the interview, we will explore the trajectory of KK's academic career and how his interest in applied economics was fostered.
In this episode, UQES continues our interview with Gene Tunny, the Director of Adept Economics.
Gene has enjoyed a diverse career, moving from the public sector and work for the Treasury, into the private sector, working as a consultant with Marsden Jacob associates and as the Director of Adept Economics, an economics consulting firm based in Brisbane.
Gene has also acted on the executive of the Economics Society of Australia, and currently runs the Economics Explored podcast. In this second part of the interview, we will explore Gene's experience with the Economics Society of Australia, and hear from him about his experience teaching macroeconomic policy at UQ. We also hear from Gene about his experience starting and acting as the Director of Adept Economics. Finally, we will learn about his podcast Economics Explored, and hear a few tips about succeeding in the field.
In this episode, UQES begins our interview with Gene Tunny, the Director of Adept Economics.
Gene has enjoyed a diverse career, moving from the public sector and work for the Treasury, into the private sector, working as a consultant with Marsden Jacob associates and as the Director of Adept Economics, an economics consulting firm based in Brisbane.
Gene has always been interested in both the research side of economics, as well as its applications to influence government policy. In this first part of the interview, we will explore Gene's experience with studying economics at UQ, what drew him to this particular field and his experience working in both the Queensland Department of Employment and Training and the Department of Industrial Relations. Finally, we will hear from him about his time spent working with the treasury, and working as a consultant.
In the second part of our interview with Adrian Dudek we discuss his career transition from academia to industry.
After Adrian's graduation from The Australian National University he was hired as a trader by Optiver. He stayed in this position for multiple years before transitioning to the role of head of Academic Partnerships within Optiver. In this episode Adrian discusses the hiring process at Optiver and his perspective on careers within the trading field, and what advice he would give to students looking to pursue jobs down this pathway.
In this episode, UQES interviews Adrian Dudek, a former trader at Optiver who has now stepped into the role of Director of Academic Partnerships at Optiver.
Adrian has a background in Mathematics, studying a Bachelor of Mathematics with Honours at the University of Western Australia, followed by a PhD in Mathematics focusing in prime numbers from The Australian National University. Following his PhD studies Adrian joined industry as a trader at Optiver and has been with the company ever since. In this episode we will discuss Adrian's academic pathway.
In part two of this interview, we will discuss Adrian's experience in the professional world and his advice for new graduates as they enter the workforce.
In this episode, UQES continues our interview with Dr Mahdi Abolghasemi, a lecturer for the UQ School of Mathematics and Science.
Mahdi has a multi-disciplinary background in Engineering, Machine Learning, Business, and Statistics. Before joining the University of Queensland, Mahdi was a lecturer and postdoctoral researcher in Data Science & AI at Monash University, Australia.
Mahdi is interested in communicating science and applying his knowledge to solve industry and real-world problems. He has consulted several industries in Australia and Europe on supply chain optimisation, demand forecasting, energy price forecasting, and risk management.
In the second part of the interview, we will explore Mahdi's experience with the international symposium on forecasting, the possible career paths within forecasting and the important skills all forecasters should have.
In this episode, UQES interviews Dr Mahdi Abolghasemi, a lecturer for the UQ School of Mathematics and Science.
Mahdi has a multi-disciplinary background in Engineering, Machine Learning, Business, and Statistics. Before joining the University of Queensland, Mahdi was a lecturer and postdoctoral researcher in Data Science & AI at Monash University, Australia.
Mahdi is interested in communicating science and applying his knowledge to solve industry and real-world problems. He has consulted several industries in Australia and Europe on supply chain optimisation, demand forecasting, energy price forecasting, and risk management.
In the first part of the interview, we will explore his experience in the field of forecasting and his involvement in the International Institute of Forecasters.
In this episode, UQES interviews a second-year PhD student in UQ School of Economics, Kieran Gibson.
Kieran completed a Bachelor of Mathematics/Economics and Honours in Economics at UQ, earned the university medal for his undergraduate studies and earned Microeconomics Honours Prize in 2020 for his honour thesis. Since 2021 he is a PhD student and had the opportunity to be the course coordinator for arguably the hardest course offered by the School of Economics: ECON2050 Mathematical Economics.
In this second part of the interview, we will explore his postgraduate experience at UQ and what advice he has for students who plan to follow a similar pathway.
Podcast Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
In this episode, UQES interviews a second-year PhD student in UQ School of Economics, Kieran Gibson.
Kieran completed a Bachelor of Mathematics/Economics and Honours in Economics at UQ, earned the university medal for his undergraduate studies and earned Microeconomics Honours Prize in 2020 for his honour thesis. Since 2021 he is a PhD student and had the opportunity to be the course coordinator for arguably the hardest course offered by the School of Economics: ECON2050 Mathematical Economics.
In this first part of the interview, we will explore his experience as an undergraduate student and what advice he has for current students.
Podcast Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
In the second part of our interview with Dan Andrews, we reflect on the most recent positions he held within the OECD and the Treasury.
Dan completed a Bachelor of Economics/Arts at UQ with first class honours and the university medal back in the year 2000. Since then he has spent time working at the RBA, The Treasury, the OECD and he also completed a Master of Public Administration at Harvard University. He now specialises in public policy with a specific focus on the implications of technological advancement and changes in the labour market on global productivity.
Additionally, within the episode, Dan reflects on how covid impacted his work, what would he do differently if he was back in university studying economics and a few more advice for today students.
In this episode, UQES dives into the career of UQ Economics Alumni, and current Head of Structural Policy Analysis at the OECD, Dan Andrews.
Dan completed a Bachelor of Economics/Arts at UQ with first class honours and the university medal back in the year 2000. Since then he has spent time working at the RBA, The Treasury, the OECD and he also completed a Master of Public Administration at Harvard University. He now specialises in public policy with a specific focus on the implications of technological advancement and changes in the labour market on global productivity.
Additionally, within the episode, Dan reflects on the increasingly important role of data analysis in shaping policy in a more data-driven world, and he gives a few insights into the books that most influenced his love for studying economics.
Our guest on episode 3 of Career Pathways is Hugo Bell!
Hugo is an investment banking associate at HSBC working in leveraged & acquisition finance. Bronwyn chats to him over the phone about his university experience and she attempts to understand his job as he gives us an insight into IB.
Tune in to hear how Hugo maintains the elusive work-life balance and the stellar advice he has for ES members!
(Tip: use earphones for a better listening experience. Audio through the phone call isn't as great. Apologies!)
UQES would like to acknowledge the First Nations people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which part of this interview took place, Meeanjin (Mee-an-jin), Brisbane. We recognise the country north and south of the Brisbane River, as home of both the Turnbul and Jagera nations. We pay deep respects to all Elders past and present and future.
Fiona's journey takes her from PNG, to New Zealand, to the UK and back to PNG.
Listen in to to find out more about Fiona's position as CIO for the largest super fund in Papua New Guinea and her experience working in the industry in developing country!
UQES would like to acknowledge the First Nations people as the original inhabitants or as the Traditional Owners of the land on which this interview took place ,Meeanjin (Mee-an-jin), Brisbane. We recognise the country north and south of the Brisbane River, as the home of both the Turrbul and Jagera nations. We pay deep respects to all Elders past and present and future.
Grace Houlihan, a recent UQ Graduate speaks to the team about her transition from student to economist at the Queensland Treasury.
Listen to find out about Grace's university experience and advice for current students!
Was 9/11 funded by money laundering? Do remittances artificially prop up exchange rates?
Listen to find out! This week, Jo chats to Professor Richard Brown about remittances and foreign aid against the context of labor migration and broader immigration. Professor Richard Brown discusses his work and findings on remittances and explains the implications of this for policy.
No Boomer, immigrants are not here to steal your job!
On this episode, the diversity team and Professor Richard Brown discuss all of the rumours you’ve heard about immigration and how it effects our economy.
Join us as we chat about the effect immigration has on jobs, wages, taxes and a whole lot more.
Want to know what’s fact or fake?
Tune in here to find out…
This week, Isaac from our Corporate team discusses the future of work with Senior Workforce Success Executive at Tanda, Phil Johnson. Expect to hear about: traps in employment data, the change in the type of worker that will valuable in the future, the rise of competency based training and the effect of this and blending of blue collar and white collar roles.
Phil and Isaac also discuss different ways to make the most of the changing demands and how to differentiate yourself and your resume in a Post-Covid world.
In this episode our diversity team chats to Dr Fabiane Ramos and Dr Belinda Eslick about the myth of lean-in (aka corporate) feminism. Join us as we touch on topics such as the ambition gap, gender equity, and the role of capitalism in sustaining gender inequality. We’ll discuss what leaning-in means and how it can be harmful in a corporate environment.
Here is a balanced article about the 'lean-in myth' that our guests recommended:
https://thefeministwire.com/2013/10/17973/
In Part 2, Jo from our Diversity Team and Jim Walker continue their discussion. They discuss incarceration rates, deaths in custody and the three pillars of racism and their consequences. Listen to find out the possible solutions and ideas brought forward to help combat harmful stereotypes and cycles.
Keep an eye out for the final instalment of the Closing the Gap series next week.
Welcome back to Worldonomics! In this episode, Jo from our Diversity team chats to Jim Walker about Closing the Gap. Want to learn more about Closing the Gap but don't know where to start? Tune in here to find out...
Jim Walker has been involved in advocating for the rights of Indigenous Peoples in excess of 20 years both in Australia and internationally.
He is an Aboriginal man of the Jagera, Yiman and Goreng Goreng First Nations peoples of Australia. He has been involved in development and implementation of policies and programs in the fields of social justice, education, health, housing, economic development, Indigenous rights advocacy, Indigenous cultural protection, environment protection and science research.
He holds a Bachelor of Business (QUT) and a Master Degree in Public Administration at the University of Canberra.
(https://sees.uq.edu.au/profile/14514/jim-walker)
Welcome to Worldonomics Season 2! In this episode, our Education team chats to Dr Jorge Miranda-Pinto about the short run macroeconomic effects of this pandemic. They discuss the questions on everyone’s mind about jobseeker, the effectiveness of the current policies, and touch on moral hazards and unconventional monetary policy.
Resources:Black Lives Matter (https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/**)
(Click on #BLM Australia, you will be directed to resources and also useful links to donate should you wish)
Donate:*Sisters Inside*(https://sistersinside.com.au/about/support-us/) North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency(http://www.naaja.org.au/donate/)
(See first link for more options to donate)**
Stay Tuned to the end to hear application tips from our Secretary, Jen!
Approximate time stamps to help you out:
1:00 Recruitment Process w/ Secretary Jen
3:30 President-Machel
4:30 Treasurer- Grace
5:30 Publications VP- Zach
7:00 Marketing Officer- Sushankar
8:15 Education Officer- Luisa
9:17 Corporate Officer- Ryan
10:30 Socials Officer- Emily
11:42 Diversity VP - May, Diversity Officer- Liam
Don't forget to register and attend the webinar to find out more, or to have any questions answered!
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Applications close 11.59pm Friday 5 June. Don't miss out!
Podcast Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Podcast Correction: Domestic Violence costs the economy $22 billion. In the podcast, the figures $22 Million and $27 Billion were incorrectly stated.
Famin's Instagram: instagram.com/famin_makes/
Donate at https://www.givenow.com.au/crowdraiser/public/FaminMakesforWLS/
Podcast Music: Podcast Music: https://www.purple-planet.com