Ruveyda Nur Gozen
Ruveyda is an applied microeconomist focusing on innovation dynamism and history, gender inequality and economic development. She received her Ph.D. in Economics in 2022 and started as a research economist at the London School of Economics.
Why did you choose to study economics?
I grew up in Istanbul and witnessed economic and political crises as a child. I've seen many people suffering from unemployment, inflation, inequality, and unjust and wrong policies of governments. Therefore, I always wondered how the economy and society could improve with the right economic policies. That's how my interest in economics started.
How would you describe economics?
Economics is an analytical way of thinking about the economic decisions and behaviours of micro and macro-foundations such as individuals, corporations, political bodies, and institutions.
If you had a time machine and could meet your 16-year-old self, what advice would you give them?
Don't just focus on the results; enjoy the process, and don't compare yourself to others. You also don't always have to be the best and fastest; it's okay. As once Descartes said: "The greatest minds, as they are capable of the highest excellencies, are open likewise to the greatest aberrations; and those who travel very slowly may yet make far greater progress, provided they keep always to the straight road, than those who, while they run, forsake it."
What is your favourite part of economics?
I'm an applied microeconomist, and I love collecting historical and modern data and running analyses to propose economics policies to improve the welfare of people.
Is there anything you would do differently if you had the chance?
Probably do a double major in sociology or political. Need a bit of a spice in all this analytical and quantitative world, right?