Anna Shostya, PhD, chair of the Economics department at Pace University, is working to change how economics is taught by focusing on its impact on people rather than just abstract theory. “Economics is often taught as abstract theory,” she said. “But it doesn’t have to be. My goal is to humanize it and make it more relevant.”
Shostya’s approach extends from her teaching into her scholarship. She recently co-edited “Pathways to Sustainable Development: Implementing the Pact for the Future,” a forthcoming book from Edward Elgar, alongside Narinder Kakar, a longtime United Nations official. The book brings together contributions from both established experts and new scholars in the field. “It was an honor to learn alongside Professor Kakar and gain deeper insight into how the UN works,” Shostya said.
In her macroeconomics classes, Shostya encourages students to look beyond traditional measures like GDP. “Economic growth alone doesn’t guarantee well-being,” she noted. “We need to ask: does it help reduce inequality, preserve the environment, or create decent jobs?” To help students relate economic theories to real-world situations, she uses case studies and shares experiences from teaching in countries such as China, Poland, and Moldova. Students are also asked to research development issues in regions connected to their own backgrounds.
Many students begin her courses unfamiliar with concepts like the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Shostya says that learning about topics such as pollution in China or hearing stories about conflict in Ukraine helps these issues become more tangible for them. For her, seeing students engage deeply with these subjects is a key motivation for teaching. “That connection inspires lifelong learning,” she said. “It’s what I’m most passionate about.”
Her research focuses on themes that are relevant both personally and globally. “I appreciate the ability to pursue questions that resonate with my own experiences and reflect the issues that are faced by the international community,” she explained. “Whether I explore sustainable consumption and production, national educational outcomes, or the impact of war on labor markets, I value the chance to contribute to conversations that matter.”
As department chair, Shostya acknowledges challenges such as uneven student preparation due in part to disruptions caused by COVID-19 and increased reliance on technology. Her goal is to maintain academic rigor while adapting teaching methods when necessary. “We want to embrace AI and other tools thoughtfully, so they enhance learning without replacing the human connection,” she said.
She emphasized that faculty members share a passion for applied economics and are committed to helping students succeed after graduation.
Shostya summed up her philosophy: “Economics is a tool,” she tells her students. “If you learn to use it well, it can take you anywhere.” She believes making economics relevant will help students shape their own futures as well as society’s.
