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An interview with Lucy Bye-Fellow (Economics) Yujiang River Chen

I joined St Catharine’s College in 2017 as the Bevil Mabey College Lecturer in Economics having received my BA from Peking University and MPhil and PhD in Economics from the University of Cambridge. My research includes labour economics, urban economics and micro-econometrics, focusing on the impact of minimum wages on income inequality and unemployment, and the agglomeration and sorting of human capital. I also investigate models of city structures that highlight the rise of the sharing economy, and the application of machine learning techniques in econometrics.

Many of my research topics have clear and significant policy implications. An increase in the minimum wage could support those who are currently working for low earnings, but equally, it could lead to higher unemployment, reducing the potential gain. The development of the sharing economy could also have a profound impact on local land use and land price. Using advanced tools and models help us better understand and further predict the trend of these crucial economic figures. The joy of research and teaching always reminds me to pursue a career that combines life-long learning and the use of knowledge to benefit society.

For students who want to pursue a similar career, it is a great opportunity to be able to study at Cambridge. The most important thing is to enjoy the three years at Cambridge. I would like to encourage our current students to use their time wisely, not only on learning and intellectual progress but also on developing a range of academic, sporting and creative talents. Therefore, they will be equipped with the skills and confidence to continue the excellent work, to make long-lasting contributions to society, to follow their heart and passion, and to enjoy every moment in the new journey ahead.

I have been supervising undergraduate students from Lucy Cavendish in the past few years on Macroeconomics and Labour Economics. It is a gratifying process, and I enjoy the conversation with our students during the supervisions a lot. Lucy Cavendish College is a dynamic and international community, and I am fortunate to have the opportunity to become a Bye-Fellow here and to join the College to continue to play the role in addressing important issues here and beyond.

Currently, I work with the Director of Studies in Economics to provide supervisions and also participate in the admission interviews process. Due to the pandemic, I have not been able to visit the College in the past year. I wish to have more opportunities in the coming summer to get to know more about the people, the community and the College.