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Department News

Python Workshop Series Starts This March

Thursday, February 05, 2026 | By kkoka

The Brock Economics Students’ Association and the Department of Economics are hosting Python Basics for Economic Analysis, a three-session workshop led by Professor Taylor Wright. Students will learn basic Python techniques and how they can be used for economic analysis.

Dates:

Intro to Python

Thu, Mar 5, 2026 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM at PLZ 309

Economic Analysis in Python

Thu, Mar 12, 2026 3:00 PM 4:00 PM at PLZ 309

Build Your Own Portfolio — Start Your Own Project

Thu, Mar 19, 2026 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM at PLZ 309

Categories: News
Honouring Professor Joe Kushner’s Career and Retirement

Friday, January 30, 2026 | By kkoka

This academic year, the Department of Economics will be celebrating the retirement of Professor Joe Kushner, who has been part of Brock since 1969.

Over the years, Joe has contributed in every way you can imagine – as a teacher, researcher, mentor, and leader. He was the first recipient of the Faculty of Social Sciences Teaching Excellence Award (2002), and in 2019 he marked 50 years at Brock with a $50,000 donation to support student awards.

Joe has also contributed years of dedicated service to the Department and the University, including as Chair of the Economics Department (1980–1986), Director of Business Economics (1994–2010), and President of BUFA (1972–73).

Outside Brock, Joe is well known in the Niagara community for decades of public service and volunteering. He has served as an elected municipal official in Niagara since 1976, and earlier this year published a book reflecting on that experience.

For those of us in Economics, Joe is especially known as a great colleague – supportive and always willing to share thoughtful advice. Many of us have benefited from his perspective, his generosity with time, and his genuine interest in helping others.

We’re grateful for everything Joe has done for the Department, our students, and the broader community, and we wish him all the best in retirement.

Categories: Events, News
New BESA Weekly Drop-in Econ Study

Thursday, January 22, 2026 | By kkoka

The Brock Economics Students’ Association (BESA) is hosting a weekly Drop-in Econ Study session – an open, informal space for Economics students to study, work alongside peers, and meet other Econ students.

When: Tuesdays, 5:00–8:00pm
Where: PLZ 408

All Economics students welcome – just drop in!

Categories: Events, News
Economics Seminar Series: Diego Zambiasi

Friday, November 07, 2025 | By kkoka

Dr. Diego Zambiasi from Newcastle University will be presenting his paper “Gangs of London” (with Nils Braakmann) next Thursday, November 13 between 2:00pm-3:30pm virtually on MS Teams. Everyone is welcome to join!

If you are interested in attending, please contact Professor Taylor Wright ([email protected]) to obtain the meetings details.

Categories: Events, News
Graduate Studies Information Session

Wednesday, November 05, 2025 | By kkoka

Our Graduate Studies & MBE Information Session will be held on Wednesday, November 12, from 12:00 to 1:30 pm. Join us to learn about graduate study opportunities and the MBE program at Brock.

Categories: Events, News
Exploring Careers in Economics and Business Economics Career Panel

Monday, October 27, 2025 | By Janine Duff
Please join us for a panel exploring careers in economics and business economics on Wednesday Nov. 5, from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

We will be hosting several former MBE graduates who have gone on to do great things.

The list of panelists includes:
- Brad Rossen, NHLPA Certified Player Agent, CAA Hockey
- Corey Carlton, Competition Law Officer, Competition Bureau
- Madeline Arnott, Payments Analyst, Meridian Credit Union
- Connor Jakobschuk, Senior Consultant, Watson & Associates Economists LTD
- Emmanuel Yeboah, Senior Data Analyst/User Acceptance Analyst, RBC
- Andrew Brown, Personal Banker, TD
- Georgie Gagnon, Data Application Engineer
Please follow the QR code link to register via CareerZone. You can also register on ExperienceBU.
Categories: Events, News
Economics Seminar Series: Noah Spencer

Tuesday, October 21, 2025 | By kkoka

PhD candidate at the University of Toronto Noah Spencer will be presenting his paper “Neighbourhoods, Schools, and Funding: Evidence on the On-Reserve/Off-Reserve Indigenous Education Gap” on Thursday, October 23, from 2:00-3:30pm in STH216. Please join us!

Categories: Events, News
Visiting speaker (Oct. 28)

Thursday, October 02, 2025 | By Janine Duff

The Department of Economics kicks off this year’s Research Seminar Series with “Understanding Mental Health Differences Between Cisgender and Gender Minority Youth: Evidence from Within-Family Comparisons” presented by Donn Feir, Professor of Economics at the University of Victoria. Using data from the 2021 Canadian Census, Feir has documented substantial differences—ranging from 30 to 40 percentage points—in the prevalence of mental health conditions between cisgender youths and their gender minority counterparts. Please join us on Tuesday, Oct. 28 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in TH 255!

Categories: Events
Visiting Speaker (April 11)

Tuesday, April 08, 2025 | By kkoka

Dr. Rob Gillezeau from the University of Toronto will be presenting his paper Railroads, Land Cessions, and Indigenous Nations: Evidence from Canada (with Jeff Chan and Azim Essaji ) on Friday, April 11 from 12:30-2:00pm in GSB306. Please join us!

Categories: News
Business Economics grad’s co-op journey builds career confidence

Wednesday, April 02, 2025 | By Janine Duff

Growing up in an entrepreneurial family, it’s no surprise that Mansi Vishwajitsinh Vansia (BBE ’24) developed an interest in business and financial analysis.

As an international student hailing from India, the Business Economics graduate says she was nervous about starting her studies at Brock University, but her co-op term helped her push past her comfort zone and make connections that kickstarted her career.

“My co-op experience contributed hugely to the confidence that I have in myself and my abilities today,” she says. “It taught me how to talk to people, pitch myself, conduct myself in a professional environment and address complex situations using my critical thinking skills.”

During her co-op term, Mansi worked as an Operation Services intern for Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Canada Corporation, where she had the opportunity to apply her course teachings in the workplace, learn how to put together ad hoc reports and develop her leadership skills.

According to Mansi, one of the most valuable aspects of her internship was having casual coffee chats with employees and “learning more about their departments and their roles,” which helped her grow her network and gain clarity on her career interests.

“I started becoming more interested in finance, and because of that, I took more finance-focused courses during my third and fourth years,” she says.

When it came to securing a co-op placement, Mansi says the Economics Co-op Professional Preparation course provided her with the tools and resources required to write an effective resume and cover letter, navigate her career interests and identify her transferable skills.

In addition, microeconomics courses offered by Brock’s Department of Economics and Forecasting Using Time Series Data, taught by Associate Professor Jean-François Lamarche, were instrumental in taking her learning beyond the textbooks.

“These courses helped me look at challenges in my workplace through a strategic lens and come up with more creative ideas and solutions,” she says. “The hands-on projects and assignments allowed me to build confidence in my critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which I now apply daily, and supported my professional growth.”

Mansi’s advice for other students searching for a co-op placement is to “have that curiosity always within you to want to know more, learn more,” adding that this is what “really helped me stand out in terms of getting the role.”

Since graduating, Mansi has secured a position with BMW Group Financial Services Canada as a Customer, Brands and Sales System Transformation intern.

“Although I never envisioned myself working in the automotive industry, I was encouraged by our talent coaches to broaden my horizons and explore career opportunities beyond my immediate interests or expertise,” she says. “They emphasized the importance of stepping outside our comfort zones and being open to new possibilities, even in fields we knew little about.”

Mansi says she is happy that she decided to take the leap and see where it led her.

“By embracing opportunities, we may find ourselves in unexpected roles — roles that, while initially outside our radar, could turn out to be incredibly fulfilling,” she says. “Sometimes the paths we don’t plan for can be the most rewarding.”

Learn more about the Business Economics Co-op Program.

Categories: News