SFU Economics Teaching Awards winners: Dr. Fernando Aragon and Samuel Basoah

Fernando Aragon

Dr. Fernando Aragon holds a B.A from the Universidad del Pacifico (Peru), and a MSc and PhD in Economics from the London School of Economics. He joined SFU's Department of Economics in 2010. His research lies at the intersection of development, environmental and political economy and focuses on understanding the role of natural resources, local institutions, and environmental factors (such as climate change and pollution), on local communities.

He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in applied economics, and the honor thesis course in which students develop a capstone research project. His main teaching goal is to  ensure that their students learn new skills and that they develop values (like critical thinking and passion for learning) that would help them succeed in their professional careers. His teaching philosophy emphasizes the role of the teacher as a guide and the importance of recognizing each student’s unique challenges and talents.

Samuel Basoah

After completing his studies at the University of Ghana as the Best Economics Student for two consecutive years, Samuel Basoah joined the master's program in Economics at Simon Fraser University (SFU) in 2019. He completed his MA program with distinction within a year and is currently pursuing his doctoral degree. 

Over the past three years, Samuel has served as a Teaching Assistant for various courses, including international finance, money and banking, development economics, international trade, public economics, and both macroeconomics and microeconomics. Samuel plays a pivotal role in the department’s study nights and mentorship programs. As a Mentor/Head TA, he has successfully mentored five new Teaching Assistants in the department.

Samuel’s research interests span a broad range of fields, including macroeconomics, international finance, money and banking and applied econometrics. He is also passionate about labor and economics of education. His current research focuses on understanding central banks' reserve management in the context of sovereign default risk.

Samuel’s teaching philosophy is centered on creating an inclusive, interactive, and student-centered learning environment. He believes that students learn most effectively when they are actively engaged and feel respected, regardless of their gender, race, or ethnicity. To foster this environment, he employs interactive teaching methods such as group discussions, real-world data analysis, and experiential learning activities. These methods not only enhance student engagement but also help develop essential skills in communication, teamwork, analysis, and critical thinking.

Moving forward, Samuel is excited to continue advancing his research and teaching practices. He plans to delve deeper into the economic analysis of central banks' reserve management in sovereign default settings. Additionally, he aims to further develop his interactive teaching methods and mentorship programs, ensuring that both his students and mentees have the resources and support they need to succeed.