Graduate Program

Training the next generation of scholars

BESI encourages the study of interdisciplinary political economy across UC Berkeley through the strategic distribution of grants and the cultivation of a vibrant intellectual community.

We believe that political-economic analysis is crucial for workable policy solutions to problems of political and economic power. To encourage growth of the field, BESI funds competitive research grants and programming for the 100+ Ph.D. students in the Designated Emphasis (DE) in Political Economy at UC Berkeley.

DE program highlights

Targeted coursework

The DE curriculum, administered by Berkeley Political Economy, gives Ph.D. students at UC Berkeley the opportunity to strengthen their training in political economy through selective coursework and programming. BESI provides annual stipends to students who actively participate.

Travel and research

BESI funds conference travel and research grants for DE students who are investigating major questions at the intersection of political and economic knowledge.

Intellectual community

BESI funds regular workshops for DE students, including opportunities to interact with invited guest speakers, senior scholars, and practitioners. The DE community serves as a wellspring for collaborations with faculty and fellow students.

Discover graduate studies in political economy at UC Berkeley.

For additional information about the DE program requirements, application process, and more, visit the UC Berkeley Political Economy website.

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People

Leadership

Steven Vogel

Steven Vogel

Chair and Head Graduate Advisor, Designated Emphasis in Political Economy

DE students

Gray Brakke

Ph.D. Student, City and Regional Planning

Em Finkelstine

Ph.D. Candidate, Environmental Science, Policy, and Management

Haozhou Lin

Ph.D. Student, Jurisprudence and Social Policy

Yue Lin

Ph.D. Student, Political Science

Grey Liu

Ph.D. Student, Political Science

Ziyi Liu

Ph.D. Student, Haas School of Business

Maya Lu

Ph.D. Student, Political Science

Gunar Olsen

Ph.D. Student, Jurisprudence and Social Policy

Isabel Qi

Ph.D. Student, City & Regional Planning

Malo Sébastien

Ph.D. Student, Environmental Science, Policy, and Management

Anna Zaret

Ph.D. Student, Jurisprudence and Social Policy

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