The Bagwell Center for the Study of Markets and Economic Opportunity at KSU

In the latest Bagwell Center Commentary, James Boudreau explores why prices for events like the World Cup, NBA Finals, and major concerts can reach staggering levels. While many focus on sellers, economists point to a different explanation: the powerful role of demand.
With limited seats and millions of willing buyers, high prices may be less about pricing strategies and more about scarcity and competition.
Read the full commentary here: https://campus.kennesaw.edu/colleges-departments/coles/centers/markets-economic-opportunity/commentary.php

Fellow Spotlight: Gabriela Santisteban Navarro

Congratulations to Undergraduate Research Fellow Gabriela Santisteban Navarro on presenting her research, “Investment, Inequality, and Urban Change: A Worldwide View with the Atlanta BeltLine as a Case Study.”

Special thanks to faculty advisor Dr. Luc Noiset for your mentorship and encouragement. https://campus.kennesaw.edu/colleges-departments/coles/centers/markets-economic-opportunity/research/undergraduate-working-papers.php

🎓 Fellow Spotlight: Amtul Raheem

Congratulations to Undergraduate Research Fellow Amtul Raheem on presenting her research, “Economic Drivers of the Nursing Shortage in Georgia.”
Thank you to faculty advisor Professor Michael Patrono for your mentorship and insight. https://campus.kennesaw.edu/colleges-departments/coles/centers/markets-economic-opportunity/research/undergraduate-working-papers.php

🎓 Fellow Spotlight: Abeer Kayser
Congratulations to Undergraduate Research Fellow Abeer Kayser on presenting her research, “The Use of Explainable AI (XAI) Methodologies for Transfer Pricing Documentation.” 👏
Thank you to faculty advisor Dr. James Boudreau for your support and expertise. The full paper is posted on the website: https://campus.kennesaw.edu/colleges-departments/coles/centers/markets-economic-opportunity/research/undergraduate-working-papers.php

Congratulations to our Kennesaw State University students recognized in the 2026 FEE–Bagwell Center Essay Prize!

First Place: Aliyah Johnson
Runner-Up: Omya Airi

We’re proud to see our students leading meaningful conversations on economic policy and shaping the future of free-market ideas.
🔗 Read more: https://fee.org/articles/fees-2026-bagwell-center-essay-prize/

Explore the origins of modern finance and the ideas that shaped how we invest today.
Don’t miss the last installment of our “1-2-3 of Investing” series by Dr. Ladd Kochman. https://campus.kennesaw.edu/colleges-departments/coles/centers/markets-economic-opportunity/flip.php

🎓 Fellow Spotlight: Justin Schymanski

Congratulations to Undergraduate Research Fellow Justin Schymanski on presenting his research, “The Effect on Consumer Behavior of Pay‑For‑Advantage Monetization in Video Games,” and for being named Best Paper of the Year! 👏🏆

Thank you to faculty advisor Dr. James Boudreau for your mentorship and guidance throughout the fellowship.
https://campus.kennesaw.edu/colleges-departments/coles/centers/markets-economic-opportunity/research/undergraduate-working-papers.php

A special thank you to our outstanding advising faculty, Dr. James Boudreau, Dr. Luc Noiset, Dr. Filippo Occhino, and Professor Michael Patrono for your mentorship, guidance, and commitment to supporting student research. Your dedication makes the Undergraduate Research Fellowship experience meaningful and impactful for our fellows.

Congratulations to our 2025-2026 Undergraduate Research Fellows on a successful symposium!
We’re so proud of the thoughtful, original research you presented—and deeply grateful to our advising faculty for their mentorship, guidance, and support throughout the year.

Do the rich really pay their fair share? Our latest commentary, by Dr. Timothy Mathews, digs into IRS data to challenge assumptions and spark a deeper conversation on tax fairness. https://campus.kennesaw.edu/colleges-departments/coles/centers/markets-economic-opportunity/commentary.php