Bringing an exciting new group of economics scholars together for the first time is one of the highlights of every fall semester. But it’s one of the many things that looks different in the midst of COVID-19.
The annual Ph.D. orientation session went online for the second year in a row. However, students were still able to kick off their Duke careers with an in-person event in August, including a campus tour and a happy hour outside of Economics’ home in the Social Sciences Building.
The 2021 cohort was also joined by some special guests: the 2020 cohort, who spent their entire first year studying remotely.
“The goal was to introduce the Ph.D. students to their peers and faculty, and the department’s staff, so that they can begin this next phase of their education knowing that they are not ‘going it alone,’” said Professor James Roberts, the department chair.
“The 2020 cohort did a phenomenal job last year, but were certainly isolated from the department,” he added. “They went through something no Ph.D. cohort went through before, and we wanted to welcome them to 'normal campus life,' or something a bit closer to it, with open arms."
The annual orientation and welcome activities — combined with academic programs like the intensive, three-week Math Camp the summer before students’ first year — are designed to ensure that students have everything they need to succeed in their graduate education.
“We begin communication early and often with them about the basics of joining Duke — our staff and director of graduate studies do an excellent job of this,” Roberts explained. “Then, as we begin the semester, we try to create opportunities for them to connect with their peers in other classes and also the faculty.”
Just over month into her first year, those efforts are paying off for Michelle Blair. “The first-year professors, the director of graduate studies and the department’s leadership team have all been very welcoming and eager to address our questions,” she said.
“Getting to know classmates in my cohort and from the upper-year cohorts has been a great experience. I am glad that we have had so many opportunities to meet and learn about each other on and off campus, especially in these challenging times.”
Economics Department
