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STOCKHOLM SCHOOL
OF ECONOMICS

Patrick Augustin

Meet Patrick - Associate Professor of Finance at McGill University and PhD in Finance alum.

1. What is the attraction of doing research?

Research is both challenging and stimulating. If you are passionate about a topic and have a curious mind, it gives you a lot of flexibility in trying to understand the world. You are free to pursue the research questions of your choice and to choose how to analyze them. The challenge of finding answers to questions in an economic and financial environment that is constantly evolving makes research an exciting profession.   

2. Why choose SSE if you want to become a researcher?

The PhD curriculum at SSE is structured in the same way as programs in top US business schools: two-years of solid course work in both economics and finance, followed by two years of independent research. The joint doctoral program in economics and finance between the Stockholm School of Economics and Stockholm University assembles a critical mass of people to allow for a rich exchange among students. It also allows for a broad course offering in various specializations. From a research perspective, SSE has an outstanding faculty with world-class professors and there is a regular flow of internationally renowned scholars visiting the school. The yearly visit of the Nobel laureates in economics is just one example among many. 

3. What is the best thing about SSE if you are a PhD student?

Every week, there are several internal and external seminars in both finance and economics that allow students to get exposure to a broad variety of research. The Swedish House of Finance, which was created during the end of my PhD studies, was an inspiring place for me to do research in so many ways. In addition to this strong local base, I benefited from other regional collaborative programs, such as the Nordic Finance Network, providing platforms for feedback on my research. Career aside, Stockholm is just a fantastic city that offers a great quality of life. 

What is the best thing about SSE if you are a PhD student? 
I developed both a personal and professional relationship with my advisors and PhD peers. I believe that SSE, with its international environment within the Swedish capital, offers all necessary prerequisites for a great personal and academic development.

4. What characterizes the PhD education at SSE? 

Excellence, international standards, research-focus and fun.