Cluster focus

The cluster explores the political, financial, legal and economic forces at the national and international level that affect global governance and international finance.  Along with the International Public Affairs cluster, the Global Governance and International Finance Cluster has increased the capacity of UW-Madison to be a leader in the study of globalization and its governance.  Affiliated faculty have contributed significantly to an increase in the quality and quantity of courses in the social sciences and professional schools related to international finance.  They pursue innovative, responsive and highly competitive research programs and form part of a larger interdisciplinary campus community focused on the challenges and opportunities posed by globalization.

Cluster accomplishments

  • Cluster faculty have strengthened the study of international financial policy and have linked with existing faculty in related fields through the Center for World Affairs and the Global Economy. UW-Madison is now regarded as having a premier international finance program and has tremendously benefited the program abilities and prestige of the La Follette School of Public Affairs, the Department of Economics, the School of Business, and the Law School.
  • The La Follette School has created a new International Trade and Finance track in its Master of International Public Affairs program. Cluster faculty have offered new course opportunities for students from the business and law schools.
  • Cluster faculty led the creation of an ongoing international economic workshop and speaker series.
  • Faculty affiliated with this cluster have served as the editor of a leading journal (Journal of International Economics)and been appointed as a visiting scholar at the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Hong Kong Institute for Monetary Research.
  • The cluster faculty organized several academic and outreach conferences at UW-Madison to examine the balance of payments and U.S. debt. These events form part of an important research project on Current Account Sustainability funded by the UW-Madison Center for World Affairs and the Global Economy and other sources.

Cluster structure

This cluster has developed strong collaborations and relationships with the La Follette School for Public Affairs and the School of Business. Faculty from this and the International Public Affairs Cluster also serve as senior fellows in the Center for World Affairs and the Global Economy along with 13 other distinguished affiliated senior fellows from across campus. These activities serve to keep the cluster faculty interacting with others from across campus.

Cluster coordinator, faculty and lead dean

Cluster Coordinator

  • Guido Podesta, Professor of Spnaish and Portuguese, Associate Dean, Intenrational Studies and Programs

Cluster Faculty

Lead Dean