I’m Siqi Liu, an Ad Astra Fellow and Assistant Professor of Finance at the College of Business, University College Dublin. I am primarily focused on the convergence of empirical asset pricing and empirical corporate finance, with a particular emphasis on its ramifications for industrial organizations and product markets, as well as the intricate relationships between firm activities and their overall performance.
I’ve always dreamed of meeting the brilliant minds who shaped the world of economics and beyond. The Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting in Economics was recommended by my friend, Alessia, who attended it a few years ago. She said the Lindau meeting would be the perfect opportunity to achieve my dream come true. So, I applied. After two rounds of applications, I was accepted.
It was such an honour to represent University College Dublin on this global stage. Thanks a million to the Lindau Nobel Laureate Committee that gave me the perfect opportunity. I’m deeply grateful to our Dean, Anthony Brabazon, for his reference letter, and to Research Ireland for nominating me. Without their support, I wouldn’t have made it to Lindau.
My academic journey started by a random opportunity. During my postgraduate studies, I stumbled into research and fell in love with asking questions, being challenged, and chasing answers. Back then, I never imagined I’d be sitting across the table from Nobel Laureates. Yet here I was, walking into a room with the likes of Douglas Diamond, Steve Chu, Jean Tirole, Roger B. Myerson, James J. Heckman, Lars Peter Hansen, Oliver D. Hart and Simon H. Johnson.
I really enjoyed the different elements of the Lindau meeting. Every morning began with a lecture from a Laureate, followed by questions and discussions. Each Laureate presented us a different sphere of the world and economics. Sometimes, we joined them for lunch or even a walk. My favourite part was the open exchanges, which were small-group conversations where we could have casual talks.
One of the most special moments for me was with Professor Douglas Dimond. He had each of us introduce ourselves, encouraged our questions, and even offered to read our papers in the future. I couldn’t believe that a Nobel laureate might one day read my work. He was super-kind, patient, thoughtful and generous with his advice.
Another most memorable moment was my session with Professor James Heckman. I had to walk a long way to get to the venue, but it was more than worth it. He was funny, enthusiastic, and full of stories. Listening to him felt like watching a documentary, except he was right there, answering all of our questions.
Then, there was the gala dinner. I introduced myself to Professor Steve Chu, the Nobel Laureate in Physics and former US Secretary of Energy. I expected a serious and cool physicist. Instead, he was warm, witty and shared lots of personal stories with me. When I shared some of my worries, he gave me simple but wise advice: slow down, don’t rush, let things unfold. It was exactly what I needed to hear.
Another highlight was that I met one young scientist working on supply chain management, close to my own research, and another working on climate economics, close to my own teaching. We shared stories about research, life’s curveballs, and the little victories that keep us going. By the end of the week, we felt connected and it felt like we’d been friends for years. And, of course, the boat trip to Mainau was unforgettable. The sun was shining, Lake Constance sparkled like a giant diamond field, and the breeze made it feel surreal. Everyone on board was relaxed, chatting and laughing. I know this scene will stays vividly in my mind, even decades from now.
Lindau gave me so much more than I could expect. Thanks a million to those inspirations, connections, laughter, and a sense of belonging to a global community of scientists. It truly was an experience that I’ll carry with me all my life.
Image Credit: Torben Nuding/Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings