From the Bank of Finland to a PhD at NHH

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Heidi Koponen´s experience at the Bank of Finland solidified her desire to pursue a PhD, a goal she had considered during her studies. In August, she started her PhD at the Department of Economics. Photo: Sigrid Folkestad
By Sigrid Folkestad

14 November 2024 12:59

From the Bank of Finland to a PhD at NHH

Heidi Koponen has always been drawn to the field of macroeconomics and policy.

AS PART OF OUR PHD SERIES INTRODUCING CANDIDATES AT NHH, MEET HEIDI KOPONEN!

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Name: Heidi A Koponen

From: Finland 

Departement: Department of Economics

Research field: Macro economics

Started: 2024

Mentor / supervisor as for now: Associate Professor Jonna Olsson

`My research interests lie in macroeconomics, specifically in exploring the dynamics of the financial cycle and the effects of regulation on financial conditions, ´Heidi Koponen says.

She completed her master’s degree at Aalto University in 2023 with a thesis titled Adjusting the countercyclical capital buffer with early warning indicators of banking crises: forming a composite indicator for prediction.

She also earned her bachelor’s degree from Aalto.

Connecting Research to Policymaking

Before joining NHH, Koponen was working as an economist at the Bank of Finland.

`My work there focused primarily on financial stability and involved research and analysis. It was a unique opportunity to see how research is applied to policymaking and introduced me to banking regulation and financial markets´, she says.

Her experience at the Bank of Finland solidified her desire to pursue a PhD, a goal she had considered during her studies.

The Nordic Connection

`Why did you choose a PhD scholarship at NHH? ´

`Mainly because the school offers proper funding for full-time PhD students, it’s a reputable institution in the Nordics and has a research group on macroeconomics. I wanted to stay in the Nordics but also experience living abroad so Bergen and Norway seemed like a great fit´.

Now, Koponen is concentrating on doing coursework, with her research yet to take shape.  

`My research interests lie in macroeconomics, specifically money and finance, but I haven’t narrowed down my research questions just yet. Overall, I enjoy learning and discovering alternative ways of thinking about problems. Doing a PhD allows me to dive deep into a specific subject and to build  expertise on that topic´.

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Settled in Bergen, Heidi Koponen enjoys combining her academic pursuits at the Department of Economics with Nordic culture and natural beauty. 'I’m happy to be here—even with the frequent rain!' she says Photo: Sigrid Folkestad

So far, so good

The first time Koponen visited Bergen the weather was perfect.

`It was a sunny weekend in June and there were lots of tourists wandering around. We visited Fløyen and enjoyed the scenery and mountains. My first impression was therefore really positive! I definitely felt like I could enjoy living here´.

So far, life in Bergen has been enjoyable.

`Everyday life settles in quickly once you start a new program, but I’m happy to be living in Bergen—even with the frequent rain!