Eduard Talamàs

IESE Business School 

“I always struggled in economics but Professor Talamas is such a world class professor that many of the concepts I previously couldn’t understand have become much clearer as a student in his Global Economics class.” – Kamran Cheema

Eduard Talamàs, 36, is Assistant Professor at IESE Business School.

Before joining IESE, Talamàs was a Warren Center postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, hosted by Rakesh Vohra. He is a Research Affiliate at the Centre for Economic Policy Research.

He studies strategic interactions in matching markets and economic networks, with a focus on investment and bargaining.

“My research mainly focuses on studying how prices are formed in different markets. My main interest is understanding how wages are formed. What determines how much you earn for your work?” he tells Poets&Quants.

“For most of us, negotiation is key. Outside options are crucial. My research is all about trying to understand how the relevant outside options are determined in different markets, how are they shaped by different investments (like pursuing an MBA), and the extent to which these investments are efficient.” 

His research has been published in Games and Economic Behavior, and it has been funded by Fundación Ramón Areces, “La Caixa” Foundation, The Foundations of Human Behavior Initiative and The Rockefeller Foundation. 

BACKGROUND

At current institution since what year?  2019

Education:  PhD in Economics, Harvard University

List of MBA courses you currently teach: Global Economics

TELL US ABOUT LIFE AS A BUSINESS SCHOOL PROFESSOR

I knew I wanted to be a business school professor when … some of my best friends did their MBAs. This allowed me to experience the enormous positive impact that business schools can have on ambitious young adults. Ever since then I have wanted to be part of that transformational impact.

If I weren’t a business school professor… I would get more involved with early childhood education programs. When it comes to education, as with so many other things, the earlier the better. 

What do you think makes you stand out as a professor? I am really passionate about the process of learning. 

One word that describes my first time teaching: Exciting. 

Here’s what I wish someone would’ve told me about being a business school professor: If you party with MBAs, you must leave before 10 p.m. 

Professors I most admire and why? Núria Mas for her incredible ability to inspire all types of audiences; Pedro Videla for his unique style of teaching economics via memorable stories; Xavier Vives for his ability and willingness to explain his sharp economic analysis to all types of audiences; Íñigo Gallo for how much he cares about his students’ academic and professional development; Miguel Antón for his ability to connect with his students inside and outside of the classroom; Edu Calvo for his masterful ability to generate the best classroom dynamics.  

TEACHING MBA STUDENTS

What do you enjoy most about teaching business students? Knowing that many of them will have to make decisions that significantly shape the world we live in. And that our experience together can help them make the right ones. 

What is most challenging? Making sure that everyone contributes to the discussion.  

In one word, describe your favorite type of student: present. 

In one word, describe your least favorite type of student: absent.

When it comes to grading, I think students would describe me as… fair. 

LIFE OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM

What are your hobbies? Sailing and surfing.

How will you spend your summer? I’m afraid I’ll spend my summer driving my kids to their favorite skateparks (they love skateboarding). 

Favorite place(s) to vacation: South West France. 

Favorite book(s):  Dale Carnegie’s “How to make friends and influence people.” Read it! 

What is currently your favorite movie and/or show and what is it about the film or program that you enjoy so much? My favorite movie is “Nueve Reinas.” I vividly remember how amazed I was after watching it for the first time as a teenager. No other movie has made me feel the same way. It’s just too good.  

What is your favorite type of music or artist(s) and why? My favorite artist has to be Freddie Mercury. I am most fascinated by his originality. His ability to connect with his audience through his art is super inspiring to me. His “Barcelona” song with Montserrat Caballé is testament to his genius. 

THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS

If I had my way, the business school of the future would … have much more face-to-face interaction. Email, social media, videoconferences, etc. are great complements to social interaction. But there is no good substitute for the real thing. 

In my opinion, companies and organizations today need to do a better job at … providing good family-friendly career opportunities. In addition to promoting gender equality, this would allow more professionally-ambitious parents to build great families–the pillar of a lot of what is good in this world. 

I’m grateful for … the opportunity to have a positive impact on society via education. 

DON’T MISS: THE ENTIRE 2022 ROSTER OF THE WORD’S BEST 40-UNDER-40 MBA PROFESSORS