Meet Julian Emami Namini

The journey to international trade 

As a child, I dreamed of becoming an actor and even took acting classes in high school. Eventually, my parents and grandmother insisted that I pursue one of five fields – economics, medicine, law, engineering, or physics – if they were to support my studies. I chose economics, and it turned out to be the best decision I could have made. Economics connects seamlessly to daily life; even simple negotiations allow you to apply basic game theory to real interactions. 

Before moving to the Netherlands, I completed my studies at three universities in Germany. After finishing my PhD, I started working at Erasmus School of Economics, where I have worked ever since. 

Lecture hall as living room  

I vivdly remember the first day I gave a lecture. I was certainly nervous, though I believe I managed to hide it well. Now, after 19 years of teaching, the lecture hall feels almost like my living room. At times, I wonder whether this comfort is entirely beneficial, perhaps a touch of adrenaline helps elevate a lecture. 

Today, I am the academic director of the International Economics programme. My research focuses on international trade: a field that, in many ways, connects everyday experiences such as travelling abroad to broader economic principles.  

My interest in this domain was shaped by one of my professors at the University of Konstanz. Although he has passed away, his passionate teaching revealed to me how rich the study of global commerce truly is. Ultimately, this area of study can be seen as microeconomic reasoning applied to macroeconomic questions. 

Reading the world 

What drives me most is the ability to effect change, something I admire in both politics and journalism. Politicians and journalists who dare to ask difficult questions inspire me through their capacity to shape discourse and outcomes. In my own work, the link to politics is immediate. Economic policy decisions – such as imposing tariffs, entering, or withdrawing from international agreements – directly influence the global economy and therefore my research and teaching. 

In my spare time, I prefer reading newspapers and news magazines over reading books. My aim is to develop as broad and objective a perspective as possible, as far as that is achievable for any individual. Within our department, copies of The Economist circulate frequently, making it my go-to source for economic topics. Although I read newspapers from around the world, I sometimes prefer reading in my native language, German. 

To unwind after a long day, I often take an extended walk home, usually with a few detours. Teaching is rewarding, especially due to the many interactions with students, but it can also be tiring. Walking helps me release excess energy and settle for the evening. 

A piece of advice 

My advice to students is: question everything you hear or read. Ask yourself why someone is telling you something. You may even question me during a lecture! By questioning, you move from surface knowledge to real insight.  

Also, be prepared for any difficulties you might come across. Sometimes you have to work hard or do something you do not like in order to run into greater things.