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Agar Brugiavini

Agar Brugiavini

Political economy

Let’s talk about you: what is your background, what do you teach, and what are your research interests?
My name is Agar Brugiavini. I lived in several cities - such as Rome and London - before moving to Venice. I teach Economics with a quantitative approach and with a focus on welfare issues, as well as a course in Empirical Economics at the PhD in Economics and in the Master's Degree in Economics and Finance. I also teach Economics of Risk in the DABS - Data Analytics for Business and Society Master's Degree and Economics of Labour and Welfare in the PISE Bachelor's Degree.

I investigate individual behaviour in savings choices, retirement work, the effects of health on economic conditions, the economics of ageing, and especially long-term care. I am now also studying education policies for school-age children (up to 13-14 years) through an empirical and experimental approach involving financial education.

Tell us about your academic path.
I graduated in Statistical and Demographic Sciences at "Sapienza" University of Rome. I have a Master of Science in Econometrics and a PhD in Economics from the London School of Economics. I was a Fulbright Fellow in the USA (Northwestern University). I have been a lecturer at Ca' Foscari since 1992, starting as a researcher, and now as a full professor in Political Economy. I have been a Visiting Professor at University College London. I have held various positions at Ca' Foscari: PhD Director, International College Director, Vice-Rector for Teaching and Education, Dean of Venice International University.

Have you always known that this was going to be your path?
Yes, I have always had an interest in studying and understanding economics. During high school, I was passionate about history and mathematics, and over time I developed the idea that we needed to build economic and quantitative tools to interpret reality. I was lucky to meet teachers who motivated me and to have opportunities in my career.

What do teaching and researching mean to you?
I believe I play a key role for the country - obviously not on my own, but as part of a collective effort. Research on the one hand and the transmission of knowledge through education on the other are the drivers of economic and social development. This is also reflected in the studies I conduct.

Can you offer any advice to researchers in the early stages of their careers?
Researching is a very satisfying and useful job. It requires sacrifices, if done seriously, but it is worth it. I would also tell them to think of their efforts in studying as an investment and encourage them to make the most of their opportunities - whatever their future choices may be.