“I though studying economics would help in finding solutions to improve people’s lives”

Why did you become a researcher in economics?
I grew up in Tucuman, in the North of Argentina, a place with large pockets of poverty, and which, as of all the country, went through many cycles of high inflation and even hyperinflation, with long periods of high unemployment.

My interest in economics came early on; as a young girl, seeing people go through hardship always moved me — and also frustrated me. I thought studying economics would help in finding solutions (better policies) to improve people’s lives.

Could you, in a short way, explain what your research is about?
One line of work in my research is about understanding how monetary policy (through changes in interest rates) affects inflation, unemployment, wages.

Another line of work is about understanding the sources of economic volatility and how countries could better cope with or prevent it, for example through technological or trade diversification and/or through the implementation of appropriate stabilization policies.

What are, according to you, the biggest differences and challenges between working in the academy versus outside?
In academia one can think “slowly”, address important questions without time pressure. In policy, especially in times of crisis, often one has to think “fast”: urgency tends to take over the important.

Is there something else you would like to add?
Economics is very broad and there are many fascinating and diverse jobs that require the tools we learn in Economics — it can be a good match for people with different abilities and interests ranging from roles in academia, government, private companies, no profit organisations.

Lindahl lectures
The 2024 Lindahl lecture will be given by Professor Silvana Tenreyro (LSE) on October 16-18.
Silvana Tenreyro is a Professor in Economics at the London School of Economics. She is a leading researcher within macroeconomics, in particular in monetary economics, international finance and growth.
She is also Director of CEPR International Macroeconomics and Finance Programme and a former External Member of the Monetary Policy Committee at the Bank of England and the former President of the European Economic Association.