RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Joseph Lucia Memorial Lecture
Each year, the Economics Department hosts the Joseph Lucia Memorial Lecture. Past speakers include several Nobel Laureates such as James Tobin, James Buchanan, Joseph Stiglitz, and Sir Angus Deaton. Since 2003, this event has been funded by alumnus William Stewart ’88 VSB.
Omicron Delta Epsilon (ODE)
¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ has had a chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon (ODE), the international economics honor society since 1967. The society is open to all juniors and seniors having an overall grade point average of 3.5 or better, as well as a grade point average of 3.5 or better in the economic courses taken. Eligible students must have completed a minimum of four economics courses. All students who meet these minimum requirements are invited to stop by the Department of Economics (Bartley Hall – Room 2015) for more information on how to apply for ODE membership.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
There are a variety of opportunities for undergraduate students to get involved with research in Economics while at ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥, either in student-directed or faculty-led projects.
This program allows for students to receive up to $1000 supporting their individual research projects, conducted under faculty mentorship. Priority will be given to projects where the student is an author, rather than a research assistant. Contact a faculty member or Catherine Costello for more information.
Deadline: August 1, January 1, and April 1
¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ Undergraduate Research Fellows (VURF)
Grants to support student-led research during summer or the academic year.
Summer Deadline: Early March
Academic Year Deadline: Early October
¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ Match Research Grant Program for First Year Students
Pairs first-year students with faculty mentors and financial aid support.
Deadline: Typically mid-November
Conduct independent research under the supervision of a faculty member, for course credit.
Deadline: Proposals (approved by the faculty member and the department chair) submitted by the last day of the previous semester
Students in the University Honors Program may participate in the Honors Senior Thesis, a substantial research project chosen by the student and generally significantly more substantive than an in-course paper. Students work with faculty members as Tutors and Readers, who guide and provide feedback on original research conducted by the student.
Individual faculty members may have research projects for which they seek paid or unpaid research assistants. Reach out to individual faculty members or the department chair directly.
Presentation Opportunities
Students who have completed original research may wish to present their work in a public forum. There are numerous opportunities to do so, both within ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ and beyond.
Adam Smith Prize
Top student research is recognized annually by our Adam Smith Prizes. These prizes are awarded to the top two research papers submitted each year. Beginning in 2010, this award is funded by alumnus John Haines ’79 CLAS. First prize is $2,000 and second prize is $1,000. Honorable mention awards (if any) are $500 each.
2023 Award: ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ Economics majors and minors in the 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 graduating classes are eligible for this year's competition. Papers should present original research done in conjunction with ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ economics coursework and may address any topic in economics, broadly defined. Papers may be single- or co-authored. Students are encouraged to discuss their submission with their professor before submission. Submit papers (as a Word file of 10,000 words or less, and including the authors' names on the title page only) via email to catherine.costello@villanova.edu by NOON EST, April 5, 2023. Late submissions will not be accepted. Finalists will be notified by April 14, and present their work on April 28, from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM in the Curley Exchange. Finalists will be judged on both their papers and presentations.
Undergraduate Research Symposium
The Student Research Symposium is an annual event where accomplished undergraduates who engaged in summer research—either on-campus or at other institutions—have the opportunity to share their work with the University community.
Deadline: Mid-October
Faculty and students present their research in an informal poster setting (with conversations around visual displays of work) annually in the spring.
Deadline: Early April
Several conferences in economics have undergraduate student tracks. Contact faculty members for more information. If you are accepted to present your work at a conference, there are several funding opportunities to support your travel:
Davis Fund for Student Experiences
Provides funding for internships, global study, and academic activities.
Deadlines:
Education Abroad: June 15 (Fall), October 15 (Spring), March 15 (Summer and Maymester)
Internship Funding: May 1
¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ Undergraduate Research Advisory Board Conference Travel Grants
Grants up to $500 to support travel, lodging, meals and registration fees for undergraduate researchers who will present their research at conferences.
Deadlines: June 1, September 1, December 1, and March 1
Publishing Opportunities
High-caliber student research can be published in academic journals, including in journals that specialize in undergraduate economics student work. These are a fantastic way to begin a career in research.
Course interns
Introductory Microeconomics (ECO 2101), Introductory Macroeconomics (ECO 2102), and Introductory Econometrics (ECO 3137) may have a course intern, whose duties generally include holding office hours for help with problem sets and review sessions before exams. The appointment is generally made by the faculty member teaching the course.
College and University Resources
In addition to resources and opportunities through the Economics Department, ¸ÌéÙÖ±²¥ provides support to undergraduate students in all aspects of their collegiate experience and beyond through the centralized services of the Office for Undergraduate Students, Office of Education Abroad and Career Center.