Message from the Executive Director


Founded in 2003, the Program for Economic Research (PER) Columbia University funds research to address the economic challenges, trends, and policies affecting people around the world. Through the years, our mission of service remains that of supporting research activities at the highest possible level, disseminating new results, and informing our global understanding of economic issues.

PER’s diverse portfolio of academic programs and initiatives combines theory with practical application, emphasizing open access and active learning. With scholars across every economic discipline, our affiliated researchers study a wide range of topics and they employ many different methods in their work. Key focus areas include developing innovative statistical measurements, estimating quantitative models of economic behavior, and analyzing the effects of public policies at home and abroad. Currently, PER is the home of five such initiatives. The most recent addition is the Alternative Data Initiative, which allows students to apply for access to macroeconomic and financial datasets held by Capital Fund Management.

PER supports full-time pre-doctoral research assistantships (pre-docs) through two programs, Staff Associates and Bridge to PhD scholars. This year we are pleased to welcome Staff Associates Muhammad Bashir, Marco Chavez, and Joshua Thomas who join Veronica Perez Petro and Yiqing Zheng; incoming Bridge to Ph.D. Scholars Chiara Chanoi and Alexander Forlenza join Cora Touchstone.

The scholars who come to PER as weekly visitors, instructors of mini courses, or to present the annual Distinguished PER Lecture are a vital part of our work, and I am thrilled that Nick Ryan (Yale), Weijie Zhong (Stanford), and Marzena Rostek (Wisconsin) among others have agreed to participate in our programming this fall.

I encourage you to take advantage of all that we offer. Explore the rich resources on this website and join our events in person.

I’m looking forward to seeing you at a PER event soon. Have a great year!

Sincerely,

David Weinstein
Professor of Economics, Columbia University
Executive Director, Program for Economic Research

1022 International Affairs Building (IAB)
Mail Code 3308  
420 West 118th Street
New York, NY 10027
Ph: (212) 854-3680
Fax: (212) 854-0749
Business Hours:
Mon–Fri, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

1022 International Affairs Building (IAB)

Mail Code 3308

420 West 118th Street

New York, NY 10027

Ph: (212) 854-3680
Fax: (212) 854-0749
Business Hours:
Mon–Fri, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
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