Morgan Edwards

An ambitious, aspirational young professional with proven command of research, analysis, written and oral communication. Passionately curious and committed to excellence in the workplace and elsewhere. Well-versed in authoring reports and developing policy and operational recommendations to benefit both the organisation and the community. A passionate commitment to research and writing excellence has been fostered through rigourous undergraduate and postgraduate education, culminating in an award-winning master’s thesis from the University of Otago in 2022. Prior employment in retail sales environments and volunteer work has enabled the development of strong interpersonal skills integral to success in the workplace.

Awarded the Didem Yaman Memorial Prize for Best MA Thesis, April 2023

• The prize is awarded to the student with the best MA thesis result in Politics in a particular year. The prize honours the memory of Didem Yaman, who died in the February 2011 Christchurch Earthquake four months before the completion of her PhD thesis.
• My research thesis was awarded a grade of 90% (A+) and was described by one examiner as being 'a fascinating, well-researched and well-written MA thesis'.




Presented at the 62nd Annual New Zealand Association of Economists Conference, June - July 2022

• My paper, and the supporting presentation at the NZAE Conference, consisted of presenting a ‘new’ approach to macroeconomic policy creation and analysis to New Zealand’s economic practitioners. The paper and presentation were well received, and was the culmination of an intensive period of planning and writing. | https://bit.ly/NZAE2022ConferencePaper
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Top of the Class Award - GEOG214: Economic Geography of the post-World War II Era, July 2018

• This was awarded by the Department of Geography at the University of Otago as a testament to the hard work, depth of technical knowledge and extensive research capabilities demonstrated throughout this paper.

From Dr. Can Cinar, Lecturer of International Political Economy at Durham University:

Morgan's enthusiasm for contemporary issues surrounding the political economy and his skill to interpret multifaceted economic data was impressive. Morgan explains himself in a concise and precise way. His penetrating mind allows him not only to grasp the basics of econometric analysis, but also to formulate highly original and persuasive interpretative arguments.

From Associate Professor Brian S. Roper, Associate Professor of Politics at the University of Otago:

Morgan has been an exemplary postgraduate student. The quality of his writing is superb. Whereas most students find monetary economic theory complex and difficult, Morgan finds it fascinating, absorbing, and has a firm grasp of a range of different theoretical perspectives within modern monetary economics. His thesis traverses monetary economic theory but also addresses central issues within international political economy.

Music: An accomplished bass guitarist, previously recording and performing professionally in several bands in and around Dunedin. 

• Released the album 'Show Me the Way' with Dunedin band Sun Veins in March 2023.
• Studied bass guitar under respected bass player Honorary Associate Professor Rob Burns while studying at the University of Otago.

Associate Professor Brian Roper

Associate Professor: University of Otago Politics Programme
Phone: 0211917275

Email: brian.roper@otago.ac.nz

Rex Capil

General Manager, Community Spaces and Places: Invercargill City Council

Phone: 0212294507

Email: rexcapil@gmail.com