Dr. Nir Chemaya
Department of Economics, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
My life before BGU:
I was born in Quito, Ecuador, where I lived until the age of four when my parents were posted there as emissaries. From there, we moved to Haifa, where I grew up and studied at the Reali School. I completed both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics at Ben-Gurion University, and then went on to a PhD in economics at UC Santa Barbara (which also included a year in the Department of Computer Science).
Why BGU?
BGU, and especially the Department of Economics, were truly a home for me during my undergraduate and master’s studies, and while serving as a teaching assistant. I am excited to return now as a researcher and lecturer, and to work alongside the professors who taught me at the very beginning of my academic journey.
My research:
My research spans two main fields. The first is behavioral and experimental economics, which, in simple terms, uses laboratory experiments to better understand how people make economic decisions and what factors influence their choices.
The second, and currently my primary field, is blockchain and decentralized economics — an area that has introduced a host of new technologies with potentially wide-ranging applications across many domains. My work examines the economic and financial implications of these technologies.
At times, I combine both areas of interest by conducting laboratory experiments related to blockchain and decentralized economies, allowing me to enjoy the best of both worlds.
An insight from my research:
Blockchain and decentralized technologies are about much more than Bitcoin and its market value — but unfortunately, most people still just ask me whether they should buy Bitcoin 😊.
Something that doesn't appear on my CV:
Sports are a great passion of mine, and in the past I was a running coach, including for the Etgarim Association. Etgarim enables people with disabilities to integrate into society and break through boundaries through sports. As part of my work there, we helped several visually impaired members complete a full marathon. For me, sports have always been, and will remain, not only a way of life, but also a way to connect with people through shared sporting activities.
In brief:
- Planning or spontaneity? Careful planning — with flexibility
- Pilates or spinning? Running
- Morning or night? Early morning
- Summer or winter? Spring
- Steak or tofu? Steak
- Berry Sakharof or Noa Kirel? Akiva Turgeman
- Instant coffee or espresso? Espresso
- Trekking or beach lounging? Trekking, followed by beach lounging
- Evening with friends or evening alone? Evening with friends
- Car or train? Train
- Text message or phone call? A call — for the things that truly matter
