September 19, 2022 The Aims of Public Policy address provides a collective moment for students entering Harris during which they can think about the broader aspects of their education before becoming fully immersed in the data-driven Harris approach to policy analysis. The address is a unique experience to Harris and is an annual tradition. Each year, a Harris faculty member is invited to speak about the impact of public policy, while encouraging you to reflect on the purpose of your education. 2022 Faculty Remarks: Konstantin Sonin, Ph.D. Konstantin Sonin, Ph.D., is the John Dewey Distinguished Service Professor at Harris. His research interests include political economics, development, and economic theory. His papers have been published in leading academic journals in economics and political science. Sonin earned an MSc and PhD in mathematics from Moscow State University and an MA in economics at Moscow’s New Economic School (NES), was a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University’s Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, served on the faculty of NES and Higher School of Economics (HSE) in Moscow, and was also a member of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. Now he is affiliated with HSE and Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics as a visiting professor and adviser. In addition to his academic work, Sonin writes a column for VTimes and a blog on Russian political and economic issues. Previous Speakers Steven Neil Durlauf, Ph.D., Steans Professor in Educational Policy (2021) Scott Ashworth, Professor and Director of the Harris PhD Program (2020) Ryan Kellogg, Professor and Deputy Dean for Academic Programs (2019) Christopher R. Berry, William J. and Alicia Townsend Friedman Professor (2018) William Howell, Sydney Stein Professor in American Politics (2017) James Robinson, The Reverend Dr. Richard L. Pearson Professor of Global Conflict Studies (2016) Ethan Bueno de Mesquita, Sydney Stein Professor and Deputy Dean (2015) In the News Professor Konstantin Sonin and Assistant Professor Austin Wright Argue for Stimulus Checks to Support Public Health Harris Public Policy Professor Konstantin Sonin, Assistant Professor Austin Wright, and Visiting Professor Jesse Driscoll authored an Op-Ed featured in The Washington Post discussing whether stimulus checks incentivize people to stay home during the COVID Faculty Spotlight Katherine Baird Assistant Instructional Professor Katherine Baird is an Assistant Instructional Professor at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago. Her research covers areas of environmental and energy policy. In particular, she is interested in studying funding mechanisms for climate change adaptation, as well as how... Recent News Student Profile: Sarah Hillegass, MPP Class of 2023 Thu., May 26, 2022 Student Profile: Kashif Ahmed, MPP Class of 2022, Pearson Fellow Tue., May 24, 2022 More news Upcoming Events Ask Admissions: Data and Policy Summer Scholar (DPSS) Program Tue., May 31, 2022 | 12:00 PM A link will be sent to registered guests. Chicago, IL 60637 United States Harris Evening Master's Program Information Session Thu., June 02, 2022 | 12:00 PM A link will be sent to registered guests Chicago, IL 60637 United States More events