Aljoscha Janssen

1. Describe your role and what it is that you do overall and on a day-to-day basis.

I serve as an Assistant Professor of Economics. Besides teaching intriguing subjects related to industrial organization and microeconomics, a significant portion of my time is dedicated to empirical research. This typically involves juggling multiple projects in applied microeconomics or industrial organization, each at varying stages. A common project for me involves a sequence of steps, starting with acquiring relevant data, followed by coding, data cleaning, and comprehensive data analysis. After this, there's a deep dive into conceptualizing either the structural model being built or pinpointing the causal relationship one aims to elucidate. The final stages usually comprise writing, presenting, and refining papers based on feedback and further research insights.

2. What is the attraction of doing research?

The appeal of research for me lies in its direct applicability to real-world questions. As an industrial organization researcher, I frequently encounter market inefficiencies, such as peculiar price patterns or welfare losses for certain market players. To address these inefficiencies, I use real-world data combined with econometric methodologies and economics models. My aim is always to unearth the root causes behind these market imperfections and subsequently propose ways to enhance market outcomes.

3. Why did you choose to do your PhD at SSE?

My decision to pursue my PhD at SSE was influenced by multiple factors. SSE is renowned as a top-tier business school, acclaimed for its outstanding researchers, enriching seminars, and overall reputation. However, what truly stood out for me was the program's size and structure. It's large enough to foster a supportive peer environment, yet it's also intimate enough to ensure minimal bureaucratic layers within the department. At SSE, it's commonplace for students to interact with every faculty member, which I believe is crucial for academic growth. In my opinion, a department's success in research is inextricably linked to its commitment to nurturing its PhD students, and I found this supportive ethos strongly embodied within SSE.

4. Following the time at SSE, do you have any words of wisdom or advice you would like to share with our current students?

Reflecting on my time at SSE, I perceive the PhD journey as a learning experience, rich in insights about various research methodologies and techniques. It's imperative for students to recognize that the skills and knowledge acquired during this phase are not just pertinent to academia, but are also highly sought after in the industrial and public sectors. Hence, my advice would be to remain open-minded throughout the journey, as every individual's career path and choices are distinct.

5. What are three words that sum up your time at SSE?

Challenging, collaborative, and fika.