Recommendation Letter:
Rules prepared based on the guidelines of Chris Blattman (an economist I admire)
If you would like me to write a recommendation letter,
Please contact me at least four weeks before the first reference-letter deadline. Explain what you are applying for and how we have worked together. I can write the most useful letters when I know your academic work and research potential well. Please ask before listing me as a referee.
1. What I consider when deciding whether to write a letter or not
Professionalism and communication. Preparing complete application materials, following instructions, meeting deadlines, and communicating clearly are important skills, whether you pursue an academic career or another path.
The way you manage the recommendation process also informs my assessment of your readiness (so read this page carefully!!!).
Repeatedly missing deadlines or failing to communicate makes it difficult for me to recommend you confidently.
Character, motivation and collaboration. Academic ability matters, but I place even greater weight on integrity, kindness, respect for others, and the ability to contribute to a team.
This includes treating and supporting fellow students kindly, acknowledging others’ efforts, and respecting the time and energy I devote to supporting your work. I see academia as a community that advances knowledge through collective effort. Even when you work on an individual project, you benefit from—and contribute to—that broader community. Working ethically as a team is essential for your success and for you to be a member of the community I recommend.
I also value genuine enthusiasm for your work, a willingness to learn, and sustained effort. I believe that hardworking people can achieve their goals, regardless of where they start. I look for passion for your work because, at the end of the day, that is what drives sustained effort.
Academic preparation and achievement. I also need to be able to support my recommendation with evidence that you are prepared for the programme or position.
This may include your grades, coursework, research and other relevant accomplishments.
If your academic record does not fully reflect your abilities, I am happy to hear the context, such as a change of major or career direction. I will consider that context, while still assessing whether I can write a strong and honest letter for the opportunity you are pursuing.
2. What I consider when deciding whether to write a letter or not
I have agreed to write, please send a complete, organized set of materials at least three weeks before the first deadline:
Your CV and academic transcript.
A relevant academic work: paper, thesis chapter or other work sample.
List and brief descriptions of the programmes or positions.
One shared tracker listing each institution, programme, actual reference-letter deadline and time zone, submission method or link, and any special requirements.
Please distinguish application deadlines from recommendation-letter deadlines, and let me know promptly if your plans or deadlines change.
Thesis supervision:
I am interested in supervising research related to economics. Please get in touch early enough to discuss research fit and feasibility before committing to a topic.
For an initial discussion, prepare a short outline of your research question, why it matters, relevant literature, proposed data and method, and a realistic timeline. You do not need a fully developed proposal, but you should be ready to discuss what is feasible with the data, skills and time available.
If we agree to work together, we will set milestones for the research plan, literature review, data preparation, analysis and writing. Students are responsible for preparing meetings: share the material you would like feedback on, summarize progress, identify specific questions or obstacles, and keep track of agreed next steps. Please raise difficulties early so we can adjust the plan where needed.