Harvey S. Cohen Fellowship

Coming into college, I knew I wanted to be able to take concepts I learned in class and be able to apply them to my environment. Being a Harvey Cohen fellow allowed be to explore how that research is conducted from so many angles. Whether in the lab understanding how economic questions can get asked to provide meaningful results or collecting open-source data to understand the context of the questions around me, I learned that economics touches and shapes a vast array of interesting topics. Finding these interconnected topics always reinforced my interest in economics since I could begin to see the larger systems at play. I most valued how as a Cohen Fellow I could see my work impacting the researchers I worked alongside, and this position allowed me to further explore more hands-on data analysis, a passion now shaping my future career. 

—Hailey Latona, 2023-2026

Through working in PEEL, I was able to see firsthand how experimental research is designed and carried out, while also learning about the collaborative nature of economics research through brown bag seminars, conferences, and conversations with faculty and graduate students. One of the most rewarding aspects of this fellowship was the opportunity to contribute to ongoing projects while constantly learning from the people around me. The faculty and grad students were always willing to explain their work, answer questions, and help me better understand the broader goals behind each project, which made this experience feel like much more than just research assistance. Overall, the Cohen Fellowship has given me valuable insight into behavioral economics research and has been an incredibly enriching part of my undergraduate experience at Pitt.

—Ellen Kurr, 2025-2026

Economics is such a diverse field, and the Harvey S. Cohen Fellowship has allowed me to explore the different subfields of economics through assisting with professors' research. Assisting in the lab has given me experience with experimental design and behavioral economics, and my work with other professors in the department has exposed me to research in policy analysis, welfare economics, historical economics, and so much more. Having the opportunity to learn from such excellent faculty and assist on such a wide range of research projects has given me an insight into academia that will prove useful should I pursue graduate school. Lastly, attending the weekly behavioral economics seminars has exposed me to the collaborative nature of economics research and fosters an environment where questions are encouraged and discussed deeply. Ultimately, this has been a wonderful undergraduate research experience, and I look forward to maintaining this fellowship until graduation!

—Isabella Canals, 2023-2026

Becoming part of the Harvey S. Cohen Fellowship was probably the best decision I made during my time at Pitt. When I first declared my economics major during my sophomore year of college, I was not familiar with just how important the study and research of economics is to society. Throughout this experience, I have gotten to personally speak with researchers on research projects, how they develop their brilliant ideas, and how their studies help to improve everyday life. I have also gotten to participate firsthand in research projects and the PEEL lab. Contributing to the pursuit of knowledge and research during these last two years as a Cohen Fellow has undoubtedly been the most rewarding part of my college career.

—Claire Nackley, 2023-2025

There are not many opportunities on campus like the Harvey S. Cohen Fellowship, where this position opens up so many different possibilities; the variety of the scope of research done at PEEL has helped me cultivate a well-rounded understanding of research design and methodology (ex: experimental economics, geopolitical economics, gender economics, developmental, etc.). The researchers work with us in a way where they take the time to explain and teach us about the research process as we go along, ensuring that we are getting as much out of it as possible rather than just assigning us tasks, which has continually made this fellowship a powerful learning environment and overall very enriching to my undergraduate experience at Pitt.

—Rylee Ericson, 2021-2025

The Harvey S. Cohen Fellowship has been an incredibly valuable experience in shaping my perspective on economic research. Working in PEEL exposed me firsthand to the experimental approach, which I further engaged with through brown bag seminars and discussions with professors. Hearing directly from faculty about their research processes was an invaluable experience. Most rewarding was the chance to contribute to ongoing research projects, with faculty who were intentional about helping me understand the broader goals of their work. Overall, the program has been a meaningful stepping stone as I prepare for my research assistantship and graduate school, and I’m extremely grateful for the experience. 

—William Goodwin, 2023-2025