In this episode, we sit down with Professor Thomas Holmes, chair of the University of Minnesota’s Department of Economics, for a conversation about teaching, research, and life behind the scenes of Minnesota Economics. Professor Holmes discusses how he discovered economics as a first-generation college student, what drew him into research, and what keeps the work engaging after decades in academia.

We explore how the field has evolved — from new technology and AI in research to shifting classroom dynamics — and what remains constant, like the value of in-person learning and authentic student interaction. Professor Holmes also shares insights from his research in applied microeconomics and industrial organization, touching on competi ...