Aliénor, PhD student at the Climate Economics Chair at EconomiX (Université de Paris-Nanterre)

Aliénor Cameron has graduated in International Economic Policy. She is PhD student >at the Climate Economics Chair at EconomiX (Université de Paris-Nanterre) in Paris, France 

What is your role and main responsibilities? 

As a PhD student, my role is to produce research which I then share through publications and presentations at conferences and seminars. I also have a responsibility to share this knowledge through publications that are meant for a non-academic public due to my affiliation to the ADEME, the French ecological transition agency. Additionally, I have to connect with and discuss my work with peers from other universities to improve my own research and learn about what else is being done in my field. 

How did you secure this role? 

I did a research internship at the Climate Economics Chair during my M2, which led me to meet my current PhD supervisor. During that internship, I developed my research topic and ended up applying for a PhD co-supervised by the ADEME and the Climate Economics Chair. 

What is the most fascinating and/or surprising aspect at your role?

One of my favorite aspects of doing a PhD is how completely free I am to choose what kind of research and what topics I look into. It’s allowed me to really explore what it is that I enjoy in economic policy research. 

How did your PSIA experience help you with this role? 

PSIA was very helpful in preparing me for certain aspects of my work as a PhD. First, it’s been a great help to understand the policy mechanisms that I am studying and to anchor my work in real-life dynamics. When I started my PhD, I did not want it to be theoretical. The policy background I came with is helping me to achieve that. Second, PSIA gave me tools to clearly and concisely present my work. Being able to communicate your research to others is one of the most important aspects of academia and I feel like PSIA gave me a good preparation for this, both through writing and presentations.

What advice would you give to others? 

If a PhD in economics is interesting to you, I would suggest complementing PSIA’s policy-oriented classes with some technical skills in math, economics, and econometrics. Additionally, take a lot of time to read other people’s papers in the topic that you think may interest you so that when the time comes to write your own research project, you know where there is space to dig.

• More about the Master in International Economics Policy