Emiliano Catonini

Hundreds of scholars from all over the world teach and conduct research at HSE University. At the International College of Economics and Finance (ICEF) alone there are more than 30 researchers who hold PhDs from universities outside Russia. One of them is Emiliano Catonini, who completed his second research project this year and is now preparing it for publication. He spoke with the HSE News Service about getting students to put their phones away during lecture, surviving academia, trading energy for economics, and falling in love with Moscow winters.

ICEF not only trains professionals in economics and finance, but also provides a perfect start for an academic career. Daniil Esaulov, lecturer, coordinator of student research work at ICEF and manager of ICEF Academia project, talked to us about how ICEF develops research skills, what students do at ICEF Academia, and why one shouldn’t be afraid of authorities in research.

A 2017 graduate of Master’s Programme Financial Economics, Nurdaulet Abilov has stepped up to the position of Kazakhstan’s lead quantitative macroeconomic analyst and is in charge of Nazarbayev University’s Economic Modelling Development Center. In this interview, Nurdaulet reveals why Southern Europe makes a perfect place for studying econometrics, how one can develop a passion for economics by lending money to family, and what anti-crisis strategies are being currently developed by Nazarbayev University.

As described by one of the original ICEF team members, Oleg Zamkov, ICEF Deputy Director and Academic Head of HSE and University of London Double Degree Programme in Economics, the success of ICEF was in choosing the right moment for the start and finding the right people, both academics and administrators. It would also be unimaginable without the advice and support from London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), especially Richard Layard, who helped design several key elements of the curriculum for double degree programme, Richard Jackmanand Amos Witztum who made a significant contribution to ICEF idea implementation.

Today, ICEF is proud to be academic home to over 20 international researchers with PhD degrees in economics, finance and social sciences, representing different countries and continents: Russia, Germany, France, Italy, Greece, Ukraine, Argentina, Australia, and India. ICEF faculty members share their stories of joining the team for The HSE Look readers.

In addition to the already intense studies, ICEF offers students a chance to gain even deeper knowledge of Economics and Finance. ICEF faculty members tell about ICEF Academia - a special programme aimed at students who excel at their studies and who want to acquire additional skills and knowledge. 

HSE Open Talks, at HSE Day in Gorky Park this year featured a wide range of lectures in English showcasing the ever increasing numbers of international professors and researchers at the university. Among them was Emiliano Catonini, Assistant Professor at the International College of Economics and Finance. He gave a lecture To the Heart of Decision-Making on rationality and irrationality in economic choices. HSE English News asked him to share his impressions of living and working in Russia.

Russian students and teachers were not the only ones to actively participate in HSE Day on September 9; many foreigners who study or work at the university took part as well. Numerous activities enriching the celebration could be enjoyed without any knowledge of Russian — for example, Speed ​​Dating, Dance Battle, and a variety of sporting events. However, some sites during the festival had a special English-language programme.

lectures will be delivered by HSE scholars at Gorky Park as part of HSE Day. Lectures will be delivered in both Russian and English. 

Dr. Emiliano Catonini, Assistant Professor at the International College of Economics and Finance of the HSE  shares his experience on the academic year 2013-2014 in an interview for The HSE LooK.