Professor Alex Edmans has been appointed President of the Western Finance Association (WFA) for 2026-27. Established in 1965, the WFA promotes the development and application of research in finance. Its annual conference is widely regarded as one of the premier events, bringing together leading academics to present new research, exchange ideas and forge lasting collaborations.
Professor Edmans is only the second WFA President to be based outside North America. Speaking about his appointment, he said: “It is a tremendous honour to be entrusted with the presidency of the Western Finance Association. Since attending my first WFA conference after completing my PhD, the association has been a constant source of inspiration, intellectual curiosity and lifelong friendships. I am excited to serve the WFA community and ensure it continues to inspire and support finance scholars around the world.”
Edmans’ connection with the WFA spans two decades. His first conference, in Big Sky, Montana, in 2007, introduced him to a global community of scholars united by a shared commitment to advancing knowledge. At the 2011 conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico, he met a fellow assistant professor with whom he formed a research partnership that has since produced threepublishedpapers, two ongoing projects and a WFA Best Paper Award.
Having served as Program Chair for the WFA’s 61st annual meeting in Denver, Colorado, Professor Edmans is optimistic about the future of academic conferences. At a time when research interactions are increasingly conducted online, travel budgets are under pressure and AI is reshaping academic practice, he believes in-person conferences remain indispensable for developing ideas, nurturing collaborations and strengthening the global research community.
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