Academic Affairs Committee
The Academic Affairs committee, AA for short, is the academic arm of the Undergraduate Economics Association. AA is all about enriching the academic experience of Berkeley students interested in economics and developing meaningful connections with like-minded peers. We make sure to foster a sense of community in AA through socials as well as cooperative projects. Committee members learn how to explore various intersectional topics in the field of economics, dispute current economic events, host informative workshops, make connections with faculty, and benefit from the collective knowledge pool of AA members.
In any given meeting you can find yourself presenting a certain topic in economics, debating a current event, leading a workshop, leading your team in a case competition, having a casual conversation with esteemed professors in the economics department, or making friends with similar interests. AA members get to share their insight with the rest of UEA through workshops as well as the semesterly Economic Salon where a team of AA representatives hosts an informative event about a topic decided on by the committee.
If you decide to take on an active role in UEA by joining a committee, AA is the perfect place to flex your intellectual capabilities, apply your leadership skills, make meaningful connections in the econ department, and contribute to the larger UEA family. As a member of the Academic Affairs committee, you will be an active part of a collective effort to build a social outlet for academically-minded econ students to enrich their college experience, and you will have fun doing it.
Meet the Directors
These are the Directors of the Academic Affairs Committee for Fall 2025.
Academic Affairs Co-Director
Crystal Lei
Crystal Lei is majoring in Economics and is currently serving as the Academic Affairs Director for UEA. Crystal plays a vital role in building the organization’s internal community and professional network. With a strong interest in the intersection of finance and behavioral economics, she is dedicated to creating inclusive spaces where academic rigor meets meaningful social connection, in which she interned at SFMTA. Outside of her leadership responsibilities within UEA, Crystal is an avid traveler who enjoys discovering new cultures and cuisines. Her ideal weekend involves a balance of exploring the scenic landscapes of the Bay Area and catching up on her favorite films, always looking for the next opportunity to broaden her horizons both personally and professionally.
Academic Affairs External Chair
Adam Duran
Adam Duran is a student at UC Berkeley pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. Currently stepping up to the plate as Academic Affairs Director for UEA, Adam hits it out of the park by leading strategic initiatives and fostering a high-energy community for aspiring economists. While he’s a heavy hitter in the classroom, his true academic passion is Game Theory. He loves analyzing strategic interactions, though he’s still trying to calculate the perfect Nash Equilibrium that guarantees a Dodgers World Series win every year. His professional interests are finance and non-profit management. Outside of running meetings and classrooms, Adam loves sports and is willing to strike a conversation with anyone about it.