Learn from the top minds at Peking University School of Economics and the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. Engage in an intensive academic training experience to tackle real social issues using an evidence-based approach.

Curriculum

Introduction to Programming in R 

Designed for students with little to no coding experience, this course introduces you to the tools required to write and share code; translate self-contained questions into R programs; and learn how to retrieve, clean, visualize, and analyze data.

Students will watch pre-recorded lectures and join the weekly live TA sessions via zoom.

Policy Analysis and Causal Inferences 

This course, taught by Peking University, focuses on econometrics methodology and its applications. This course will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the econometric modeling tools that are frequently used in empirical economic research. 

Faculty-led Capstone Project 

The program concludes with a capstone research project, lead by the University of Chicago. You will analyze real datasets and research on an international policy topic led. You will work in small groups led by faculty director Austin Wright on a capstone project, conducting a comprehensive policy analysis using real datasets. The project enables you to work through real world problems and collaborate with peers and faculty to design a solution. 

Past capstone projects include:

• Conflict and Insurgent Learning (PDF, 4 pages): How do insurgents learn and adapt to their enemies?

• Cyber Attacks and Stock Market Prices: Do company strategically decide on the timing to release the hack news?

• Hate Crimes in the United States (PDF, 4 pages): What are the trends and implications of hate crime reporting?

“The capstone project is an opportunity for students to take the skills that they have acquired from the program and start to think about: ‘How do I ask and answer a really important research question rigorously?’”

Austin Wright, Assistant Professor, Harris Public Policy, The University of Chicago

Program Schedule

• Week 1: Orientation Week + Programming in R

• Week 2: Programming in R

• Week 3: Policy Analysis and Causal Inferences + Programming in R

• Week 4: Faculty-led Capstone Project

• Week 5: Capstone Project Continues + Field Experience (optional)

“The economic theories and methods can be a powerful toolkit serving the analysis of social phenomena and public policy.”

Professor Dong Zhiyong, Dean of School of Economics, Peking University

Program Faculty

Austin L. Wright

Austin L. Wright is an assistant professor at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. His research leverages microlevel data to study the political economy of conflict and crime in Afghanistan, Colombia, Indonesia, and Iraq. His work is supported by the National Science Foundation, Niehaus Center for Global Governance, The Asia Foundation, and World Bank.

Xuezheng Qin

Xuezheng Qin is a professor and deputy dean in the School of Economics at Peking University, and the director of the Peking University Research Center for Market Economy. Dr. Qin’s primary research interests include health economics, economics of human capital, and applied econometrics.