An Interview with Megan Hansen, Bastiat Fellow

Editor’s note: this is a guest post from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. 

Engage Current Policy Topics through the Mercatus Center Frédéric Bastiat Fellowship

The Mercatus Center Frédéric Bastiat Fellowship is a one-year program for graduate students interested in researching and/or pursuing a career in public policy. The aim of the fellowship is to introduce students to the Austrian, Virginian, and Bloomington schools of political economy as academic foundations for pursuing contemporary policy analysis through a series of colloquia with Mercatus scholars. The total award of up to $5,000 includes a stipend and travel and lodging to attend colloquia hosted by the Mercatus Center.

Megan Hansen is a current Bastiat Fellow, pursuing a master’s degree in economics, with an emphasis on public choice, at Utah State University. She recently reflected on the program and offered advice for future fellows.

What aspect of your experience has been the most valuable for your education and/or career?

I have really enjoyed the opportunity to learn about areas of policy, such as technology policy, that I do not normally get the chance to study through my coursework and work as a policy analyst.

How have the readings from the colloquia influenced your research and study?

The colloquium on technology policy was especially interesting because it gave me a whole new framework with which to see the world. I especially enjoyed reading Virginia Postrel’s description of the world as a division between stasism and dynamism. She urged us to see growth and change not as something to be feared and limited, but as an exciting opportunity to innovate and make peoples’ lives better.

How have the Mercatus scholars impacted your views on public policy and policy analysis?

The opportunity to engage with Mercatus scholars has been incredible. Through the readings and during group discussions, Mercatus scholars have challenged me to think deeply about the questions that underlie public policy issues. After participating in the Bastiat Fellowship, I have a much clearer idea of what makes good public policy and how I can contribute to good policy through quality research and analysis.

What advice would you give future Frédéric Bastiat Fellows on getting the most out of their fellowship experience?

Engage fully in the process. Get to know your fellow fellows. Take full advantage of the opportunity to network and discuss ideas with the amazing Mercatus scholars.

The deadline for submitting a Frédéric Bastiat Fellowship application for the 2015-2016 academic year is April 1, 2015. Please email BastiatFellowship@mercatus.gmu.edu with any questions about the program.