Shin installed as inaugural Douglass C. North Distinguished Professor in Economics

Yongseok Shin, an expert on macroeconomics and economic growth, was installed as the inaugural Douglass C. North Distinguished Professor in Economics at Washington University in St. Louis during a recent ceremony.

Yongseok Shin, an expert on macroeconomics and economic growth, was installed as the inaugural Douglass C. North Distinguished Professor in Economics at Washington University in St. Louis during a ceremony in April.

Shin is associate chair of the Department of Economics in Arts & Sciences. His research draws heavily on micro-level data to emphasize how decision-making by individual workers and firms shapes the aggregate economy.

“Professor Shin is a distinguished scholar whose research examines some of the most important questions of our time — from the economic ripple effects created by the pandemic to sources of economic inequality and technology’s impact on jobs,” said Feng Sheng Hu, dean of Arts & Sciences and the Lucille P. Markey Distinguished Professor.

“Even more, Professor Shin is beloved by his students and mentees. He encourages independent thinking, dedication to the work, passion for the subject matter and a solid technical background. As a PhD placement director in the Department of Economics, he helps doctoral candidates navigate potential career opportunities both within and outside academia.

“I can think of no one more suitable to hold the inaugural professorship named for Douglass North, who was one of the Department of Economics’ most distinguished and beloved faculty members.”

Shin’s current projects study the role of government policies in economic growth and the impact of technological progress on economic inequality. Many of Shin’s recent publications have focused on the effects of COVID-19 on the economy, unemployment and workforce trends.

Read more in The Source.