MTSU Economics Ph.D. Candidate Bronwyn Graves to join Linfield University faculty

MTSU Economics Ph.D. candidate Bronwyn Graves has been named assistant professor of economics at Linfield University.

Ms. Graves, who received her master’s and bachelor’s degree in economics at MTSU, will assume her post in Linfield in McMinnville, Oregon on July 1.

Economics Professor Dr. Daniel J. Smith, director of the Political Economy Research Institute, served as Ms. Graves' dissertation chair, while MTSU professors Dr. Adam Rennhoff and Dr. Charles Baum served on her dissertation committee. Bronwyn will defend her dissertation in the next few weeks and graduate with her Ph.D. this summer.

“It has been an absolute pleasure working with Bronwyn through the advancement of her economics education and dissertation. I’m excited with the prospect that she will go on to teach sound economics to thousands of young minds through her career,” said Smith.

MTSU Jones College of Business Dean Dr. David Urban noted the importance of how a single course in economics taught by a well-trained faculty member at MTSU can have a drastic impact on a college student.

“We’re extremely proud of Bronwyn Graves’ accomplishments. We take pride in the outstanding scholars we continue to train at Jones College. Bronwyn’s high-quality research and the excellent feedback from her students are evidence of her dedication as a highly respected economics scholar and educator. We are confident that she will have a superlative career.” Urban said.

Impactful teachers make all the difference

“The most impactful teachers in my college career were those who presented me with a different way of thinking about the world, regardless of the subject. I think we who teach economics have this amazing opportunity to impact our students by presenting the operations of the world in a new way, and I consider myself fortunate to teach to students who may or may not be planning to go into economics,” says Graves.

There are boundless benefits to economic analysis, as Graves explains, through the application of broader ideas such as supply and demand, value, and incentives and the narrower topics such as taxation, interest rates, and tariffs.

“My goal is to facilitate the practical, personal application of economic principles in the students’ lives. I aim to help them build a filter of economic thought through which they can analyze their personal decisions and the events of the world,” said Graves.

As a graduate teaching assistant, Graves taught Principles of Macroeconomics at MTSU, and received high praise from her students who recognized her passion as an educator. “I feel that [Ms.] Graves was able to create an inviting environment that allowed students to feel comfortable asking questions,” a student wrote. Another anonymous evaluation stated, “Great lectures with engaging and entertaining course. [Instructor] was informed of the respected work and able to answer questions and be of help.”

Award-winning research in business and economics

While completing her graduate education, she has worked as a graduate research assistant at MTSU’s Business and Economic Research Center since 2018. In that capacity, Graves has published several papers in academic journals, co-authored with Dr. Murat Arik, director of the BERC and Jones Chair of Excellence in Urban and Regional Planning.

“Bronwyn has been passionate about academic research while being a great mentor for graduate and undergraduate students at BERC. She has been a tremendous asset to the BERC, Jones College of Business, and the university. I wish her the best of luck in her next move,” said Arik.

Graves has four papers currently in the works and several recently published in business journals:

• “Economic Impacts of a General Aviation Airport: Murfreesboro Municipal Airport.”
• “Implications of Changing Supply Chain Dynamics of Global Ginseng Trade: A Pilot Study.”
• “Workforce Turnover and Absenteeism in the Manufacturing Sector.”

Most recently, Graves and Arik were honored as the Spring 2022 recipients of the Distinguished Research Award from the Institute for Global Business Research for their co-authored paper, “Patient Satisfaction and Quality of Life: Assessing the Effectiveness of a New Novel Device and Financial Implications.”

Researching women in the labor market

The economic approach to answering difficult questions drew Graves to the field early in her college career. Her interests lie in using economic methods to understand the ‘why’ of certain market outcomes, specifically for women in the labor market.

Graves’ academic research uses statistical methods to analyze the dynamics that affect women in the labor market, with the intention of advocating policy and educational pathways for women in various fields. Her dissertation explores how market dynamics, namely low unemployment, affect the number of women and the wages of those women in blue-collar occupations and industries.

Using the framework of economic incentives and choice to explore the labor market dynamics that influence women, Graves hopes to continue adding to the knowledge of women in the labor market.

Training future economists at MTSU

MTSU’s Ph.D. program in Economics provides students with the opportunity to combine advanced training in the field with teaching and applied research. Graduates of the program learn the skills necessary for careers as university professors, research economists, consultants for private businesses, and advisors to the government.

Department faculty and staff provide resources and support needed to ensure the placement of doctoral students after four years of study. The department’s attention to job market preparation has led to an excellent record of placing its graduates in tenure-track positions at well-known public universities and colleges.

Learn more about the Ph.D. program at mtsu.edu/programs/economics-phd/about.