Macroeconomist Joao Ritto joined the Department of Economics on July 1, 2024. The newly appointed assistant professor recently completed his PhD at the University of Pennsylvania where he developed research interests in monetary economics, consumption, and wealth inequality. His current working papers concern the real-world implications of monetary policy on inflation, consumption, investment, and employment.
Having spent years as a teaching assistant, Professor Ritto has gained experience leading tutorials in introductory undergraduate micro and macroeconomics.
“I prize curiosity and passion to learn,” he explained. “Macroeconomics is very much an open field, there is a lot we do not know and other things we are possibly not right about. Hence, the right approach to studying it goes beyond dominating the important mathematical tools we use to make sense of different theories. I hope that my students develop an interest in history and economic debate that allows them to think critically about the different theories I teach them.”
Future students can look forward to an approach that is highly communicative and open to ongoing engagement with course concepts and content.
“A supportive learning environment requires continuous assessment and feedback,” Ritto explained. “I would like students to feel encouraged to participate in class discussions and ask questions, and to take full advantage of office hours, opportunities for shared learning, and the feedback they get on assignments.”
Like new students arriving on campus, the new faculty member is excited about the potential of being at the University of Toronto.
“UofT is a great research and teaching institution in a vibrant city,” Professor Ritto said. “Few institutions can tick all those checkboxes.”
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