July 28th, 2026 | 2-minute read

Global Stage to Graduate School: Laurentian Economics Graduate Secures Elite UMass Amherst Spot

From Northern Ontario to Poznań, Poland, recent Laurentian University Bachelor of Arts in Economics graduate Randy Kneer is proving the global reach of a hands-on Arts degree.

July 28, 2026 — From Northern Ontario to Poznań, Poland, recent Laurentian University Bachelor of Arts in Economics graduate Randy Kneer is proving the global reach of a hands-on Arts degree.

Following a trip to present his original research at the Poznań Post-Keynesian Workshops, the Economics graduate secured a highly competitive, fully funded spot in the Graduate Program of Economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Kneer beat out over 800 applicants for the position, which includes a full tuition waiver. His achievement highlights a growing momentum within Laurentian’s Faculty of Arts to connect student research with real-world, international opportunities.

Rethinking Global Inflation

Kneer’s journey was accelerated by his fieldwork in Poland, where he presented a paper arguing that price inflation is driven by "distributional conflict"—the competing real income claims between workers, firms, and consumers. The paper also earned an Honourable Mention in the Progressive Economic Forum's annual national Student Essay Contest.

"It gave me an opportunity to engage with scholars from around the world and hear unique perspectives," Kneer explained. "Since I'll be teaching once I begin my graduate studies at UMass Amherst, it was good preparation for what's ahead."

His off-campus research is already yielding major milestones; he is currently being mentored to publish his paper in the prestigious economic journal, Challenge.

Kneer credits much of his success to the direct undergraduate mentorship he received within the Faculty of Arts, particularly from Laurentian Economics professors Dr. Hassan Bougrine and Dr. Louis-Philippe Rochon, who co-sponsored his travel.

"They fostered my curiosity and encouraged me to adopt a critical perspective, while helping shape the direction of my academic career," said Kneer.

Dean of Arts, Dr. Jennifer Johnson celebrated the milestone as a prime example of how Laurentian prepares students for elite global opportunities through off-campus research. Moving forward at UMass Amherst, Kneer plans to focus his graduate research on the societal implications of unemployment, income and wealth inequality, and poverty.