August
Dr. Rouhan Wu
University of North Georgia
For our August 2018 member of the month, the International Atlantic Economic Society welcomes Dr. Rouhan Wu. Dr. Wu received Ph.D. in Economics from the Ohio State University, and B.A. in Economics from Peking University, China. Dr. Wu is currently serving as Assistant Professor of Economics at University of North Georgia (Dahlonega, GA). Previously, she has also served as Assistant Professor of Economics at Alabama State University (Montgomery, AL) from 2013 to 2018. Dr. Wu has done abundant research in economics development, international trade, and industry organization. She is also teaching undergraduate courses in both microeconomics and macroeconomics.
Why did you become a member of the International Atlantic Economic Society?
My research interests include economic development, international economics and trade, industrial organization, and applied economics. My empirical studies have led me to research manufacturers’ productivity growth under globalization. My doctoral dissertation ended up building a dynamic firm-level model and simulating how trade liberalization conditionally encourages an economy’s export intensity. Lately, I have developed extensive research interests in multiple empirical as well as theoretical subjects and their policy implications. The topics that I am currently working on include international trade patterns across different industries, employment issues between genders, and determinants of corruption and bribes.
What types of projects/research are you currently working on and what inspired/motivated you to pursue these interests?
Currently, I am working on various cross-country projects on growth, economic development, and important global policy issues. Specifically, economics of growth and development, compact with Africa, macroeconomic developments and prospects in low-income developing countries, building resilience for natural disaster, recent trends in official development assistance to developing countries, role of human capital and macroeconomic factors in total factor productivity in developing countries, urban bias in development expenditure and its impact on rural-to-urban migration and economic development in developing countries.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering entering your line of work/field of study?
Be motivated, be determined, be diligent, be connected, and you will be successful.
Going forward, what other projects/research are you looking to or hoping to pursue?
I am hoping to study the impact of trade conflicts on firms’ financial performance. Currently, my co-authors and I are gathering data and ideas for this topic.
What’s your favorite hobby?
I love travelling, photography, and cooking.