Rong Hai
University of Miami
Herbert Business School
“Understanding, kind, caring professor. She has a deep love for her job and her students. She is extremely passionate about what she teaches.” – John Fallon
Rong Hai, 41, is Assistant Professor of Economics at University of Miami Herbert Business School.
She researches how to increase human capital investment and reduce inequality through cutting edge numerical computation methods with large scale data. Her work has been published in the Economic Journal, Journal of Monetary Economics, Quantitative Economics, and Review of Economic Dynamics. She received the Provost’s Research Award at University of Miami in 2017.
Hai was invited and participated as a panelist in the closing panel discussion with three Nobel Prize Laureates in Economics (James J. Heckman, Daniel L. McFadden and Christopher Pissarides) at the 6th Lindau Meeting on Economic Sciences in Germany in 2017. The discussion focused on the topic “What Could and Should We Do About Inequality?”.
Her papers have been presented at over 15 top universities and more than 20 prestigious conferences in the U.S. and around the world. Her research has been featured by the National Bureau of Economic Research, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, Carnegie Rochester NYU Conference on Public Policy, among others.
BACKGROUND
At current institution since what year? 2016
Education: Ph.D. in Economics, University of Pennsylvania; M.A. in Economics, Peking University
List of Undergraduate courses you teach: Labor Economics, Public Economics, Microeconomic Theory and Applications.
TELL US ABOUT LIFE AS A BUSINESS SCHOOL PROFESSOR
I knew I wanted to be a business school professor when … I was on my job market
What are you currently researching and what is the most significant discovery you’ve made from it? My current research focuses on the long-term impact of cigarette addiction on youth human capital development. The most significant discovery I’ve made from it is that cigarette addiction during the adolescent years reduces youth educational attainment.
If I weren’t a business school professor, I’d be … a detective.
What do you think makes you stand out as a professor? I tried to connect my class with my research as well as the latest economic policy discussions/debates.
One word that describes my first time teaching: Memorable
Here’s what I wish someone would’ve told me about being a business school professor: continuous learnings and stay at the research frontier
Professor I most admire and why: I admire many professors. If I was forced to choose one, I will say Professor James J. Heckman (Nobel Laureate 2000), who has made and is continuing making important contributions to economic research and is passionate about teaching as well. I was lucky to have him as my postdoctoral mentor and co-author.
TEACHING BUSINESS SCHOOL STUDENTS
What do you enjoy most about teaching business students? They are well read about the current economy and are eager to share their ideas with the class.
What is most challenging? Balancing students with different learning curves
In one word, describe your favorite type of student: Engaged
In one word, describe your least favorite type of student: Absent
When it comes to grading, I think students would describe me as … Fair
LIFE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
What are your hobbies? Reading, travelling, watching TV and movies
How will you spend your summer? Research and academic conferences
Favorite place(s) to vacation: My hometown
Favorite book(s): I enjoy reading various fiction, novels, and poems.
What is currently your favorite movie and/or show and what is it about the film or program that you enjoy so much? Kung Fu Panda. Funny yet thoughtful.
What is your favorite type of music or artist(s) and why? I listen to all kinds of music depending on the occasion.
THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS
If I had my way, the business school of the future would have much more of this … a deeper understanding of economic mechanisms and incentives.
In my opinion, companies and organizations today need to do a better job at … identifying, investing, and retaining talent.
I’m grateful for … the continuing support that I receive from my family, friends, colleagues, and students.
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