Helen Andrews

Helen Andrews studies behavioral economics, education and public policy. She is interested in understanding how people make personal financial decisions, how that informs financial literacy content and pedagogy, and expanding access to financial literacy education for young adults. Helen holds a BA from Mount Holyoke College and an MBA from the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington. She worked in finance and investments as an analyst and portfolio manager, earning her Charter Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 1997. Her work with investment clients sparked a deep interest in financial literacy education, especially for young adults. In 2010, Helen received a Master in Teaching from Seattle University, then taught personal finance in the Bellevue School District and eventually to college students at UW Bothell. After considering a move to the research level for several years, Helen was accepted to the Individual PhD program in 2017. Helen served in the inaugural Education Advisory Group for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco with 24 teachers from across the 12th district. She currently serves as chair on the CTE Advisory Committee at South Seattle College, and as a Fellow of the Financial Education Public Private Partnership, working to promote financial literacy education in Washington state.   

What attracted you to the IPhD program?

Flexibility attracted me to the IPhD program. I appreciate the flexibility in choosing courses from different departments that fit my research interest. Flexibility in timing will allow me to keep teaching and pick up the courses I need as they are offered.

What is your research focus?

My research focus is interdisciplinary: behavioral economics, education and public policy.

How does pursuing the IPhD degree benefit your long-term research goals?

My research will continue the work I have done in financial literacy education. I’m interested in what behavioral economics can tell us about personal financial decision making, how that informs the financial literacy curricula currently available, and how we can expand access to financial literacy education for young adults.

What was/were your favorite course(s) as a master’s student?

In my MBA program my favorite courses were organizational behavior, finance and economics. In my Master in Teaching program my favorite course was my practicum where I learned to teach from two incredible teachers.

What advice would you give to other people thinking about the IPhD program?

The IPhD program allows you to design the course of study that best fits your research interest. However, your program should be thoroughly considered, with a very clear plan in place before you apply. Pursuing an IPhD may be the most entrepreneurial thing I’ve ever done. More than a few people suggested other paths for my doctoral work, but I had a clear idea of the interdisciplinary program I wanted to pursue.

You will be on your own, with no cohort other than one you build yourself, so get out and meet your peers. You’ll be amazed at the incredible, inspiring work other doctoral students are doing at UW! Maybe the best advice I received was to choose my committee very carefully. I’m excited to work with three accomplished professors who have already proven to be great mentors.

I thought about pursuing an IPhD for several years, before my plan was complete enough to apply. Now I get to spend all day, every day working on my research interest.  I’m working hard and loving every minute. When I walk across campus, I’m struck by the beautiful buildings, fascinating conversations I overhear, and the diverse mix of students walking by. I feel like the luckiest student on the entire campus.

What is something you are exceptional at that might surprise people to learn about you?

I was a college athlete with a win at the national championships my sophomore year!  (You have to guess the sport.)