Economics Mentoring Program

Many students interested in an economics PhD experience disparate degrees of support in the application process. The Economics Mentoring Program (EMP) aims to mitigate these gaps by helping students from underrepresented groups connect with graduate student mentors in the economics PhD programs at Duke, Harvard, MIT, and Stanford. These mentors can provide:

• Advice on graduate school and fellowship applications, including questions about the application process and feedback on application materials.
• Information about economics research, life as a PhD student or in an academic career, for students who are deciding whether a PhD in economics is the right choice for them.

EMP aims to increase the pipeline of diverse talent in economics PhD programs and welcomes participation from all groups underrepresented in economics, including but not limited to: Black, Hispanic-Latin, Native American, low-income, and LGBTQ+ students, women, students with disabilities, and students who are the first in their families to go to college. We welcome participation from:

• Students at various stages of their economics studies, including undergraduates and college graduates. 
• Students who are curious about the academic economics experience and interested in figuring out if it’s right for them. 

Applications for the program will open in June. Mentorship will begin over the summer and continue through Fall 2024. Mentees who prefer to meet for a single “coffee chat” may indicate their preference on the form. We will do our best to match all interested applicants with a mentor; however, demand may exceed the availability of mentors.

Please note that this is a volunteer-based, student-run program. This program is not considered part of the admissions process for any economics PhD Program, nor will any student's participation in the Program be considered by the graduate admissions committee at any school.

Please direct any questions to economicsmentoring@gmail.com. To join the program, please fill out this form.

Paid Student Research Opportunity

Researchers at the University of Maryland are interested in learning about your reactions to racial stigma, bias, and discrimination. 
You must identify as African American or Black and be between 18 and 25 years of age to participate. 

Participation involves viewing a series of pictures—some of them graphic in nature and intended to elicit a strong reaction. We will also ask that you perform a series of computer tasks while we record your body and brain’s responses. To do this, we ask to place sensors on your head, forearms, palms, and face. You will also be asked to complete several questionnaires assessing various attitudes, thoughts, feelings, and life events.

Total time to participate will be approximately 4 hours. You will earn $54 for participating plus up to a $6 bonus. Eligibility will be determined via the completion of a brief, non-compensated online screener. 

Take the screener at: https://umdsurvey.umd.edu/jfe/form/SV_cOAOq7NOrt1hKMS

“Examining Cognitive and Affective Processes in Response to Racial Bias [2022]”

This research is being conducted by Cristina Risco, Ph.D. and Edward Bernat, Ph.D. at the University of Maryland, College Park.

0126 Biology-Psychology Building, College Park, MD, 20742

The researchers can be reached via email at CCN.Lab.Stigma.Research@umd.edu or via phone at 301-405-8440.

IRB Approval number: 1920684-2