Nancy Qian (Northwestern University)
Nancy Qian is the James J. O’Connor Professor of Economics at the Kellogg School of Management, MEDS Department, at Northwestern University. She is an applied microeconomist whose research focuses on topics in economic development, political economy, and economic history. Her work was published in leading academic journals and has contributed to policy discussions on development and governance. She serves as Co-Director of the Global Poverty Research Lab at Northwestern and is the founder of the independent China Econ Lab.

Mathias Thoenig (University of Lausanne)
Mathias Thoenig is Professor of Economics at the School of Business and Economics, University of Lausanne. He is also a Distinguished Research Scholar at IMD Business School and was the inaugural Centenary Visiting Professor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at the University of Oxford, in association with University College and Queen’s College. His research explores the intersections of development, international trade, geoeconomics, and the political economy of conflict and migration. His work has been published in top academic journals and frequently informs public debate and policymaking.