PhD Candidates of the Class of 2024 Share Their Research and What’s Next | Leeds School of Business

In the city of Leeds, PhD candidates are working on cutting-edge research to create a better understanding of the business world – here’s where they’re heading next.

Keeping in mind the following

Jackie Wegner (PhD Acct’24) researched the production and use of information in capital markets for her Ph.D. “I am inspired by this research because information is an important and versatile asset in our society,” she says.

Wegner’s time at Leeds has been a combination of studying with Sarah Zechman, Tisone Memorial Fellow and professor of accounting, and Nathan Marshall, PhD program director in accounting, and enjoying all that Boulder has to offer. “I can’t think of a better place to consume accounting research than in the Rocky Mountains. The accounting faculty at CU Boulder are some of the smartest and kindest people I have ever met.”

After being encouraged by her husband, family and friends throughout the program, Wegner is now headed to the University of Southern California, where she will serve as an assistant professor in the accounting department.

Moving markets

Sasha Lien (PhD Fnce’24) studied the role of institutions in determining asset prices. “This has important implications not only for the interplay between institutional demand and arbitrage capital,” he said, “but also for our understanding of markets more generally.”

Lien enjoyed working in the finance department, “more specifically, I enjoyed learning how to think about research and causality. This is important for a better understanding of the world around us.” He said the list of people who have supported him in the finance department is “too long—I work for a dozen faculty members who have all had a tremendous impact on my life and my success.”

Now that his PhD program is complete, Lien will join Viribus Fund, an algorithmic hedge fund, as an FTR Derivatives analyst.

Taking an ecological attitude

Scott Robinson (PhD Acct’24) focuses on corporate non-financial information, particularly environmental disclosures. “I think corporations are key players in the fight against climate change,” Robinson said. “Understanding the determinants of corporate environmental disclosure and capital market consequences is increasingly important.”

Robinson said the highlight of his time at Leeds was working with other PhD students and the accountancy faculty. “Leeds students and faculty understand the care of the program and recognize the importance of being there for each other. And the faculty is so welcoming. It feels like they really want the students to get the most out of the program.” He also enjoyed teaching as part of the program and celebrated the opportunity to do review work on a Financial Times 50 journal.

He also acknowledged that his husband and three children have encouraged him throughout the program and will join him as he begins a position as an assistant professor of accounting at the University of Oregon.