Ambassadors

Carmen Ramírez Folch, Spain

I completed my undergraduate studies in Philosophy and Political Sciences at the University of Barcelona. In my final year in Political Sciences I worked as a Research Assistant on a project exploring the impact of gender on judicial decisions. This experience sparked my interest in pursuing an academic career. The Master in Political Economy (MIPE) is particularly well-suited for those aspiring to a Ph.D. or envisioning a career in research (in economic or political topics).

I believe the key strengths of the MIPE lie in its interdisciplinary approach, seamlessly integrating political economy, economic history, and political sciences. This ensures a comprehensive understanding of both content and methods across various disciplines. And also, the program´s emphasis on data science, encompassing R skills, quantitative methods, and causal inference, not only prepares for academic research but also equips for application to competitive Ph.D. programs.

Personally, the MIPE´s training played a crucial role in my acceptance into the Political Science Ph.D. program at the European University Institute (EUI). The program´s dedication to cultivating strong foundational knowledge and research skills significantly contributed to my academic journey. Furthermore, the MIPE boasts excellent professors whose guidance enhances the overall learning experience.

Finally, it is also noteworthy that the MIPE brings together students from diverse backgrounds, making the classroom discussions lively and the overall program globally oriented.

Christian Castaño Bonilla, Colombia

I chose to enroll in the MIPE program because I was interested in learning more about the interactions between institutions, politics and economics, and how they shape the development of societies. I was also attracted by the opportunity to study in a prestigious university with a diverse and international environment, and to be part of research groups with strong reputations in their fields.

The MIPE program exceeded my expectations in many ways. I learned a lot from the courses, which were taught by experts in each topic and combined rigorous theoretical and empirical approaches. I was also presented with several research opportunities which allowed me to apply my knowledge in practical settings, preparing me for the job market. The program also provided me with valuable skills and tools to conduct my own research.

I am very grateful for the MIPE program, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to pursue a career in research in the fields of political economy, economic history or comparative politics. It is a challenging but rewarding program that will prepare you for the academic and professional world.

The research and data skills I acquired during the program, both in and out of class, allowed me to achieve my ideal labor market outcome before graduation. Currently, I am working as a research consultant at the World Bank’s Gender Innovation Lab, where I work on designing household surveys and running psychometric analysis to improve survey methods measuring agency in development settings. 

Isobel Kemp, UK

I joined the Master in Institutions and Political Economy after previously studying History of Art at University College London, where I had, through my activist involvement, developed an interest in politics as a tool to tackle social and economic inequality. Due to this, I wanted to find a Master’s program that incorporated a strong foundation in economic systems into approach. As such it was the interdisciplinary nature of the University of Barcelona’s program was ideal, integrating economics and political sciences, which drew me to it. While studying the master I was able to take courses in micro and macroeconomics, game theory, economic history as well as political economy and political science.

I was also very impressed by the program´s quantitative focus, with students receiving a thorough introduction to programming with R, data science and causality, and optional courses on more advanced methods such as NLP and GIS. These courses were evaluated through exercises, helping us to gain lots of practical experience in managing and analyzing data. I also greatly benefitted from the program’s philosophy of teaching through cases. Many of the courses, specifically in political science and economic history, are taught through the reading and discussion or seminal papers, so we were exposed to lots of examples of how other researchers had tackled theoretical questions.

Finally, this course is aimed at producing researchers, and as such we were given ample opportunity to create our own research proposals and designs to tackle the questions that appeared in our classes. Much of the evaluation is based around producing such proposals, where we would discuss previous literature and theory before putting forward our own research design. Then of course, the Master´s thesis allowed us to follow through on one of these proposals, collecting data and running analysis to produce our own results, all with the support and guidance of our supervisors.

I greatly enjoyed my time studying in the program. The relatively small class size allowed an involvement and depth of discussion, which I had not experienced in my undergraduate studies, and also allowed for the development of strong relationships with university staff and my classmates. It is thanks to this programme that I have now been able to begin a doctorate in economic history at the University of Barcelona. Not only have the skills and knowledge I gained been vital in developing my doctoral thesis, but I also received ample support and advice while going through the Ph.D. application process in my final year.

Lucía Doménech Collado, Spain

Coming from an Economics background, I found the MIPE program’s interdisciplinary approach – blending Political Science and Economics – to be exactly what I needed. This program played a decisive role in my academic journey, providing me with a solid foundation in political and institutional debates, while also equipping me with critical skills in R programming, quantitative methods and causal inference. These tools were essential in preparing me to conduct rigorous research and access competitive Ph.D. programs.  

The small class size at MIPE is one of its greatest advantages. It encourages in-depth and engaging discussions, as well as closer support and collaboration with professors. The close-knit environment made my overall learning experience much more fulfilling, and the support I received throughout the program – especially during the dissertation and the Ph.D. application process – was invaluable.

Another key feature of the program is its flexibility. During my second year, I had the opportunity to spend a semester at the University of Bologna and to work as a research assistant at the European University Institute (EUI), where I am now pursuing a Ph.D. These experiences were both academically and personally enriching, and I am deeply grateful for the journey they set me on!

David Cregg, US

I chose to pursue the Master in Institutions and Political Economy program because of the broad applicability of the material studied and the growing importance of interdisciplinary education. The overlap of Economics, Economic History and Political Science is a dynamic and highly influential subject in our modern, global society. As the world grows increasingly interconnected, the understanding of institutions, and the important role they play in the world, developed as part of the masters program will serve me well. 

Since graduating from the MIPE program, I have joined the Federal Reserve Bank of New York where I work in Financial Supervision.

Alexander Rütjes, Germany

I chose the Master in Institutions and Political Economy for its unique blend of Economics, Political Science, and Economic History. The program´s global perspective on institutional and political change aligns with our interconnected world. The curriculum of the MIPE makes it appealing. Compulsory first-year courses provide a strong foundation, while the second year offers flexibility with optional courses or a semester abroad, that i spent at Kyoto University in Japan. The program´s interdisciplinary approach and strong research focus prepare graduates for top international Ph.D. programs and diverse career paths. Throughout my tenure as a student in the MIPE, I actively served as a research assistant. After completing my graduate studies, I started working for the Parliament of North Rhine-Westphalia.