Member of the Month

~March~

Anna Shostya Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Economics at
Pace University

This is a special month for us because we are hosting our 81st International Atlantic Economic Conference in Lisbon, Portugal and to celebrate we would like to acknowledge one of our upcoming participants, Professor Anna Shostya. Since becoming a member with IAES she has been an active participant in a number of conferences, acting as chair for multiple sessions, and that is why we are honored to have her as our distinguished Member of the Month for the month of March. Her major fields of study are transition economies, higher education, and economic studies of China. Since 2006, she has also been a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, and she co-teaches a study abroad course to China, entitled “From Wall Street to the Great Wall.”

Why did you become a member of the International Atlantic Economic Society?:

I was just beginning my career, exploring different venues to present my research and to learn from others. The first conference that I attended was a very good experience – I met interesting people, I learned a lot, and I got good and constructive feedback on my paper. Also, I received some printed materials, including the AEJ. I found articles to be interesting and informative. So, I decided to become a member.

What do you find most enjoyable about your membership?:

Meeting with new people and meeting old friends is really a highlight of each gathering. I also feel that the journals, International Advances in Economic Research and the Atlantic Economic Journal, do a good job in publishing the studies that reflect the pressing issues of the times. I can use these articles in a classroom or for my own research.

Have you held any notable positions within the IAES, (Officer, Board of Editors, Program Committee, etc.) if so, when?:

I chaired sessions several times.

What types of projects/research are you working on and what inspired/motivated you to pursue that interest?:

Right now I have been working on several projects that deal with air pollution in China. I have taught in China multiple times and I also take a group of students from Pace University on a travel course to China and one thing that always struck me is the terrible ambient air pollution, especially in Beijing. So one of my projects compares the environmental policy in the US and in China and explores the role of environmental activism in both countries. Another project deals with Chinese students’ awareness of the pollution situation and their perceptions of the role of government in enforcing environmental laws.

What advice would you give to someone who is considering entering your line of work/field of study?:

I think it’s important to follow your passion. Sometimes the road may be hard and exhausting, but if you do what you like, it helps. This applies to doing research as well. If you have personal connections to the topic, you can truly enjoy doing it.

Favorite hobby:
I have been an avid photographer for many years. I joined Puffin photography club led by a gifted photographer and a good friend of mine, Rachel Banai. She taught me so well that now I have been teaching a course entitled “Economic Issues through a Photographer’s Lens.” It’s a unique course that teaches students to combine analytical skills, economic knowledge and photographic principles.