Chad Kendall
Applied theory in finance and political economy
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
Having previously had a successful career in industry, I was motivated to attend graduate school to satisfy my intellectual curiosity. I believe a career in academia will allow me to continually challenge myself and allow me to more freely follow where my continually changing interests lead.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
UBC's Vancouver School of Economics is very well-respected within Canada and around the world. The faculty have a wide range of expertise and are highly motivated in ensuring their students' success.
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
I have lived in Vancouver for many years, but even though I had been many times, I did not fully appreciate the beauty of the campus at UBC until I began attending there in September.
What do you hope to accomplish with your research?
Through my research, I hope to understand the conditions under which information is likely to be efficiently aggregated and when it is not. With a better understanding, government policies can be guided towards mechanisms that ensure efficient aggregation.
What has winning a major award meant to you?
Winning the Killam Doctoral Scholarship has further inspired me to be successful in my research. Having others recognize my potential and the potential of my research is a great motivator. The award will allow me to focus more exclusively on my research goals in the coming years.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
I think graduate life varies considerably with the program, but for economics PhD students, my advice would be to bear down for the first year. It is a tough year, but the rewards for getting through it are many!