IONA Asks Educational Podcast

A series of protests from Canadian truckers have been catching international attention and causing chaos in several cities across Canada. What's driving these protests and how legitimate is their cause? 

From policy and technological developments to one of the most controversial UN Climate Summits ever, join us as we discuss how the fight against climate change progressed in 2021.

We’re sure you’ve heard a lot about the Suez Canal Crisis in the past few weeks, and maybe even seen some memes about it. But why is it such an important issue? What are the actual economic implications of the blockage? How does this affect global trade? Today, our Education team goes through all the essentials you need to know. Intro (0:31) Historical context  (1:01) Economic costs of the blockage (2:26) Supply chain logistics (3:05) Sources: Impact News Report Information Historical Context Supply Chain Logistics Future Implications Transcript: Coming Soon!

This week we had a fantastic opportunity to interview Dr. Matt Lowe, an Assistant Professor at the Vancouver School of Economics, who shared his perspective on topics such as the intersection between different fields of economic research, what life is like as a Researcher and Professor, and the mysterious world of multi-level marketing. In this episode, we discuss... The inspiration behind pursuing his degree in economics (0:54) Views on the intersection between various fields in economics (4:16) How to have a meaningful impact as an economist (6:03) How to balance teaching and research (13:04) Economic research on the caste system in India (16:58) Why it is important to learn from setbacks (20:27) Differentiating between political economy and political science (24:42) The economics of multi-level marketing (27:05) The difficulties of regulating multi-level marketing (34:21) The real-world consequences of multilevel marketing (37:35) Transcription: Coming Soon!

With the rise in anti-Asian sentiments throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, this week Matt and Lindsay discuss a few facets of anti-Asian and Pacific Islander racism, including: The recent shootings in Atlanta (0:38) Broader prevalence of anti-AAPI hate crimes (1:27) History of racism against AAPI immigrants in the USA and Canada (2:51) Contribution of AAPI immigrants to the North American economy (4:09) The need for responsible immigration policy in the USA (5:08) For those feeling impacted by these current events, we have compiled a list of resources for support: Anti-Racism Resources - Department of Asian Studies Asian Mental Health Collective International Mental Health and Crisis Hotlines Sources: Biden condemns 'skyrocketing' hate crimes against Asian Americans in wake of deadly shooting Atlanta Spa Shootings: What Is Known About the Victims Reports of Anti-Asian hate crimes are surging in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic Canadian MPs vote to condemn Atlanta mass shooting, anti-Asian racism How Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Contribute to the US Economy A Brief Chronology of Chinese Canadian History Music: Dyalla - Randy Butternubs  [No Copyright Music] Transcription

Much of the recent debate in America has surrounded what policies should be adopted to help people struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic. On this week’s episode, Lindsay and Matt give you the essentials on: Biden’s broad economic plan (0:40) Implications of raising the minimum wage (2:00) Specific details of the Democrat’s minimum wage proposal (3:17) Potential effects of the Biden administration on the Canadian economy (4:44) Sources: Investopedia – Joe Biden's Economic Plan Biden on brink of passing historic $1.9tn boost to US economy House Gives Final Approval to Biden’s $1.9 Trillion Pandemic Relief Bill A Pandemic May Be a Risky Time for a Higher Minimum Wage Music: Dyalla - Randy Butternubs  [No Copyright Music] Transcription

Have you ever wondered how economic concepts might relate to shopping? How the choices we make might be powered by subconscious economic thinking? This week, the Education Team discusses how simple economics ties to our shopping habits and everyday decision-making! Shopping and diminishing marginal returns (1:06). The opportunity costs of our shopping choices (2:55). Rational decisions: research by McKinsey (4:04). COVID consumer trends (5:36). Asymmetric information in markets (6:23). Consumption and investment expenditure (7:33). Sources: Diminishing Marginal Returns JP Morgan: COVID Consumer Trends McKinsey: Behavioural Economics Transcription: Coming Soon!

The international community has commonly used economic sanctions to hedge the threat of nuclear states. How do these sanctions impact the economies of nuclear powers, such as Iran and North Korea? Additionally, are these sanctions even effective at curbing nuclear technology? Matt and Lindsay try to answer these questions in this week’s episode by discussing: Recent developments in North Korea (0:38) North Korea’s long history with nuclear weapons (1:44) The economic effects of sanctions and the COVID-19 pandemic on North Korea (2:30) Iran’s similar struggles with nuclear-based sanctions and the pandemic (3:47) The effectiveness of sanctions in reducing nuclear threats (5:40) Sources: New satellite images reveal North Korea took recent steps to conceal nuclear weapons site Banyan - Is North Korea's dictator losing his touch? | Asia What to Know About Sanctions on North Korea Iran Suggests It May Seek Nuclear Weapons, in New Escalation of Threats Iran's Nuclear Program Timeline and History | NTI The double jeopardy of sanctions and COVID-19 Music: Dyalla - Randy Butternubs  [No Copyright Music] Transcription

Recommend yourself or another UBC Economics Alum: Here! -> https://forms.gle/S2b7XQiCc5AZH1Pn6 Summary: Pietro Montanarella, a former BIE student at UBC, shared his experience as an undergraduate research assistant in economics and his career path. In this episode, we discuss… 0:32:  Introduction of Pietro. 1:05:  What his job is about? 2:23:  What is the best part of his career? 3:25:  Why is data an important part of his job? 4:25:  How does his education background impact his career path? 6:20:  Best parts of being a research associate. 7:35:  Pietro’s research assistant experience with UBC professors. 9:15:  Advice on how to become a working research associate for an economic undergraduate. 11:40: Misconceptions about being a research professional. 12:42: Advice for undergraduates. Sources: https://about.me/pmontanarella https://economics.ubc.ca/bie-graduates/2019/pietro-montanarella-bie-19/ https://ca.linkedin.com/in/pietro-montanarella Music Credits: Dude - Patrick Patrikios (https://youtu.be/Ox8fcUshX3s)

Protests and civil unrest have been spreading around the globe like wildfire. However, many of these important events largely 'fly under the radar' due to a lack of coverage and media attention. On this week’s episode, Matt and Lindsay discuss the economics of several protests around the world, including: The economic concerns behind India’s farmers’ protest (0:40) Civil unrest in Myanmar potentially strengthening economic ties with China (2:40) Russia’s Pro-Navalny protests and Putin’s lavish lifestyle (3:57) To stay up to date on active protests, visit Global Protest Tracker. Sources: Why are Indian farmers protesting? Farmers' protest could set back India's economic recovery from Covid, says minister Myanmar coup: What is happening and why? Military coup likely to damage Myanmar's economy Pro-Navalny Protests Sweep Russia in Challenge to Putin Russian rouble feels the heat over Navalny pressure Music: Dyalla - Randy Butternubs  [No Copyright Music] Transcription

How do economic concepts relate to everyday life? This Valentine’s Day, our Education Team focuses on how love ties to basic economic concepts. We are grateful to have had the wonderful opportunity to sit down (virtually) and discuss the economics of love with Dr. Marina Adshade. Dr. Adshade is an Assistant Professor at UBC, as well as the author of “Dollars and Sex: How Economics Influence Sex and Love.” (1:11) How can we use economics to explain love? (4:00) What are some basic economic concepts that are relevant to the study of human relationships? (5:50) Marriage systems, changing relationship norms, and companionship. (9:19) The Austin Institute, divorce rates, and traditional ideas of sex and marriage. (15:00) Thin and thick markets, and dating. (18:18) Tinder and dating apps in terms of markets. (20:34) Robots, sex, and relationships: economic concepts in a high-tech future. (25:55) Outro: the importance of economic structures in our everyday lives. If you want to learn more about Dr. Adshade and her research on the economics of sex and love, here is her website and here is her TED Talk! Transcription: Coming Soon!

This series breaks down economic news - which can often come across as confusing and convoluted. Here, we ditch the jargon and get down to the facts, aiming to make economic concepts in the media accessible to everyone. On this week’s episode, Matt and Lindsay discuss: Elon Musk’s Twitter antics and their effect on the cryptocurrency market (0:32). A description of just how cryptocurrency works (1:46). The pros and cons to a cryptocurrency future (3:27). Policy issues relating to cryptocurrency (5:42). We’ll be back with a new episode in a few weeks, but in the meantime watch out for more episodes from the careers, education, and professors divisions of IonaAsks! Sources: Bitcoin surges above $38,000 after Musk adds to Twitter profile, NerdWallet What Is Cryptocurrency? Beginners Guide to Digital Cash, Is the US on Its Way to Becoming a Cashless Society?, Why a Cashless Society Is Still a Long Way Off, Is Bitcoin Legal? Music: Dyalla - Randy Butternubs Transcription

We had the amazing opportunity to interview Dr. Jonathan Graves, who shared his perspective on teaching, conducting research, and how the field of economics is shifting. In this episode, we discuss... How economic undergraduate degrees have changed - 1:12 Lessons from his first job and the importance of Co-op -  4:00 Balancing teaching and research - 7:43 Is it a problem if assumptions in economics don't hold up in the real world? - 14:00 What place does morality have in economics? - 19:33 Advice for success in your undergraduate program - 26:00 Benefits of office hours - 31:13 Music - "Stairway" by Patrick Patrikios Transcript

Sam Volpé, the co-president of Women in Economics and Policy and a junior editor for IONA’s editorial team, shared her experience with activism and her thoughts about working situations as a woman in economic fields. In this episode, we discuss… Statistic demonstrations reflecting the serious current situation (01:20) “lacking participation of Women in economics” (07:15) “how Women in Economics and Policy club here at UBC did to elevate representative voices and diverse ideas within economics” (10:12) “some advices for UBC female economic students who are uncertain about their career path” (11:30) Speech about fight, passion and future. (15:00) Next month, we’re talking about educators and researchers. Tune in to hear about why academia is amazing, and why it is one of the most competitive careers in economics (and most other academic pursuits) there is. Sources: Do Women Avoid Economics...Or Does Economics Avoid Women? Female Economists Push Their Field Toward a #MeToo Reckoning (Published 2019) From the Chair Economics, Sexism, Data : Planet Money Nobel Prize in Economics: Where are all the women? WEP Hiring Package 2021 WEP Facebook Page Music Credits: Dude - Patrick Patrikios (https://youtu.be/Ox8fcUshX3s) Transcript

Join us in this episode to learn more about Christina's journey as she graduated from the Bachelor of International Economics from UBC and later on transitioned into medical school. She has a deep interest in advancing economic growth that is sustainable and has completed a summer program at the London School of Economics as a part of her undergraduate experience.

Join us in this episode as we learn from Carl Zou, a UBC student majoring in economics and minoring in commerce. Gain insights from his experiences as an exchange student and from his work experience all covered in this episode!

Aurora graduated from UBC with a bachelor's in international economics in 2019 and went on to complete her master's at the London School of Economics studying environmental economics and climate change. Join us on this episode to learn more about her experiences! 

Why is the dairy market here in Canada expensive? Is milk becoming scarce, or is it something else? Join us in this episode to find out more! 

Jiayu (Molly) Li Graduated from the Master of Management Dual Degree Program at UBC. Studied international economics during undergrad and received a position on the dean's list for academic excellence. Join us on this episode to learn more about her journey! 

Join us in an episode where UBC student Abul Bashar Rahman shares his insights from his involvement in the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference. We cover this topic from the perspective of a student and how this troubling issue both impacts us and is of our concern. So go ahead and enjoy our climate change conversation, from student to student :)