Collyn Gagne

Economics MA in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Tell us a little about yourself, including what inspires you to learn and continue in your chosen field

I am a student in the Economics M.A. program at SFU, interested in doing research on economic policy. My passion for economics has grown alongside my understanding of it, since it is a subject in which there are always new and important questions that I find fulfillment in attempting to answer.

Why did you choose to come to SFU?

I originally came to SFU for my B.A. in Economics, and after having an overwhelmingly positive experience, I decided to return for my master’s. The Economics M.A. program at SFU is the perfect fit as someone with a strong interest in research. It will also undoubtedly help me grow in knowledge of economic theory and the application of it through data analysis.

How would you describe your research or your program to a family member?

I am yet to begin my research, however, I have a strong interest in economic policy that I hope will inspire my future work. I find policy particularly interesting because it has real-world outcomes—it can benefit or harm countless people depending on its implementation.

What three (3) keywords would you use to describe your research?

macroeconomic policy; development economics; economic growth

How have your courses, RA-ships, TA-ships, or non-academic school experiences contributed to your academic and/or professional development?

Having graduated from the Economics Honours Program at SFU, I have built the confidence necessary to be successful at the graduate level. The coursework was thorough and well-balanced, but the most valuable experience for me was getting to complete my own research paper. Through this I gained insight to the challenges of research, and significantly improved my communication skills.

Have you been the recipient of any major or donor-funded awards? If so, please tell us which ones and a little about how the awards have impacted your studies and/or research

I am a recipient of a British Columbia Graduate Scholarship Award. This award will help alleviate financial pressure, allowing me to focus entirely on my studies. It also gives me a sense of recognition, which encourages me to keep working hard.

Contact Collyn:collyng@sfu.ca