Assistant Professor of Economics Joshua Stillwagon presented at a conference held at the University of Copenhagen November 27-28, the theme of which was “Cointegration: Theory and Applications.” Stillwagon’s topic was “exchange rate dynamics and forecast errors about persistently changing fundamentals,” aspects of which he has discussed with his Trinity students in recent weeks.

Joshua Stillwagon, with Copenhagen’s famous Nyhavn Canal in the background

“In class we’ve discussed exchange rates and the idea that it is the ‘news’ or forecast errors about fundamentals that cause financial markets to move,” said Stillwagon, explaining (for someone who has not studied economics) that fundamentals are the variables that affect the exchange rate, such as interest rates, inflation, RGDP (Real Gross Domestic Product), etc.

Stillwagon said it was an honor to be invited to speak at the conference, which was held in recognition of the retirement of Katarina Juselius, who was ranked the eighth most cited economist in the world from 1990 to 2000. Several other renowned econometricians presented as well, including Soren Johansen, who has one of the five most cited papers in all of economics.

Stillwagon, who joined the Trinity faculty in 2013, received his B.S., M.A., and Ph.D. from the University of New Hampshire. His areas of specialty include macroeconomics, international economics, econometrics, and financial markets.