On Thursday, May 14, members of the PSTC community gathered to celebrate the graduation of eight PSTC current and former trainees who received PhDs from the Brown University Graduate School this month, along with a postdoctoral research associate who has spent time working with us over the last few years. In celebration of their accomplishments and contributions, PSTC faculty, staff, and trainees expressed congratulations and well wishes for the Class of 2026 and reflected upon the impact these emerging scholars have made here at Brown and will continue to make in their chosen disciplines. 
 

To our 2026 PhD Graduates,

Congratulations! It has been an absolute privilege to watch you grow from the talented predoctoral trainees (and postdoctoral researcher) who first arrived at Mencoff Hall into the rigorous, impactful scholars you are today. Thank you for sharing your hard work, insights, and milestones with us during this vital chapter of your academic and professional journeys. Wherever your ambitions take you next, we know that you will continue to leave a lasting, positive footprint on the world and its populations. You are always a part of the PSTC community, and we look forward to the day when our paths cross again!

Very best wishes,

All of us at PSTC 
 

Next Steps for the Class of 2026:

Ester Fanelli (Sociology)
Placement: Postdoctoral Researcher working with Núria Rodríguez-Planas at University of Barcelona

Ailish Burns (Sociology)
Placement: TBD

Joyce Cao (Sociology)
Placement: TBD

Moritz Poll (Economics)
Placement: Assistant Professor of Economics at Rice University in 2027, after a one-year postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Chicago's Development Innovation Lab

Matthew Schaelling (Economics)
Placement: Joining the Department of Finance at Brigham Young University’s Marriott School of Business in Fall 2026

Jiayue Zhang (Economics)
Placement: Postdoctoral Scholar in the Energy & Environment Lab at the University of Chicago

Steven Lee (Economics)
Placement:  Three-year visiting Assistant Professor at Williams College in Fall 2026, following a summer postdoctoral position at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Amanda Votta (Anthropology)
Placement: TBD

Derek Baum (Postdoctoral Research Associate in Sociology)
Placement: Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Georgia in Fall 2026