02-10-2026
When you think of economics, what comes to mind? Perhaps it’s the complexity of tax codes, the volatility of the stock market or the nuances of government policy. But have you ever stopped to ask: What do kids have to do with the economy?
That is exactly the type of question Abi Banan pursued while earning her PhD in Economics at the Mitch Daniels School of Business. Now, having transitioned from a student to a lecturer at Purdue, she is challenging a new generation of students to think just as critically.
Looking at her PhD statement of purpose, you would think Banan always knew she was destined for teaching economics. In reality, discovering that passion was a winding journey. Banan, like most of us, was unsure of what she wanted to do with her life. She was a skilled debater from a young age - a member of ‘Hoosier Girls State’ - and her math skills were off the charts. Yet, it took experimentation and a nudge from her sister to finally realize economics was the perfect fit. “The writing was on the wall,” she jokes, “but I wasn't reading it.”
She eventually found her niche in economics with a specific focus on crime, risky behavior and early childhood development, a field she "kind of fell into" after discovering the work of her advisor, Jillian Carr. Banan recalls her father asking during her third year, "What do kids have to do with the economy?"
Her answer was simple yet profound: “Whatever happens to children today determines how they run the economy tomorrow. It is critical that we understand the impact we have on them.”
For students planning to follow in her footsteps, Banan offers practical advice: “Economics is really an applied math field, so make sure you have the necessary math background. Knowing how to code is an added advantage.”
She also warns against rushing the research process. “Don't pick a research topic in haste. You are kind of marrying this thing. So, make sure you really love it because you will be known for that niche for years to come.”
For Banan, economics is the ultimate tool to unlock critical thinking. “I see knowledge as armor,” she explains. "The world is full of people who would happily take advantage of you... When you are knowledgeable and when you can think critically, you can spare yourself from that.”
Given her passion for empowering others, the transition from PhD candidate to lecturer unfolded naturally.
She believes that teaching makes you a better researcher and vice versa. “The process of learning how to take complicated knowledge and explain it to someone fluently and simply is an incredibly powerful skill. When you teach, it becomes second nature to be in front of a crowd, so you'll be more confident in presenting your ideas in conferences or seminars.”
Since starting as a lecturer at the Daniels School of Business, Banan has balanced her research with the demands of the classroom. “The big challenge is trying to meet the needs of a very large and diverse group of students,” she admits. However, looking back at emails from grateful students at the end of a semester makes the effort worthwhile.
“A female student in the male-dominated STEM field wrote to me and said how much it meant to her to see a woman commanding a room like that.” These are the moments she lives for. She strives to make the same positive impact on her students that her seventh-grade history teacher had on her. “I hope that one day a student looks back and is able to say that — she helped me.”
Banan has established deep roots at Purdue, evolving from a PhD student to a lecturer. Deciding to build her career at the university was an easy choice, driven by a culture she describes as unique.
“Purdue is like a community. It feels like family.” For someone new, it might seem like a recruiting line, but for Banan, six years of unwavering support proved that the sentiment wasn't just a pitch — it was the reality.
“I have had really great and caring advisors who told us from the beginning, ‘you're not competing with each other. Work with each other, help each other, learn from each other.’ And my cohort took that to heart. And I think that really made a difference.”
Her final advice for anyone joining the community is simple: “I think whichever place you decide to go to, should feel like home. And part of that is being willing to put yourself out there, being vulnerable and talking to people. It should feel like a place of comfort, a place where you can fail like a little kid who is learning how to walk. Because if you're too afraid of failure, you won't try new things. You won’t learn.”
Now a full-time lecturer at the Daniels School of Business, Banan continues her journey in the field. Her transition from a PhD in economics student to a faculty member highlights her dedication to the discipline and her commitment to mentoring the next generation.
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