SKK GSB, recognized for its excellence in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and business analytics, is pleased to welcome Prof. Travers Barclay Child, an expert in AI and finance, to its distinguished faculty.

Prof. Child’s current research lies at the intersection of political economy, AI, finance, and economics, focusing on how companies around the world differ in their ability to leverage generative AI technologies. While firm-level factors such as data access and analytical capability are crucial, his work also highlights the importance of broader institutional conditions.

“Country-level conditions—such as the availability of human capital skilled in AI, the overall innovation environment, and the regulatory frameworks surrounding emerging technologies—can all shape how effectively firms adopt and benefit from generative AI,” Prof. Child explains.

As a development-minded economist, he adds: “I hope to inform policy ensuring the economic benefits of generative AI are equitably distributed around the world. This is a topic I'm eager to explore over the next year or two, and it will also be discussed in the classroom at SKK GSB.”

Prof. Child, who grew up in Canada and studied in Canada, Italy, Spain, Singapore, and the Netherlands—where he completed his Ph.D. in economics—shared what brought him to Korea. He fell in love with Seoul when he spent a week here on vacation. He expanded, “Knowing that SKK GSB is the leading international business school in South Korea, it felt like a natural fit to pursue an opportunity here. At SKK GSB, I get the best of three worlds—living in a vibrant city, being close to wonderful nature, and contributing to an institution recognized for excellence in business education and research on management-related issues.”

Addressing SKK GSB students, Prof. Child shared his vision for the classroom: “I want my students to cultivate intellectual curiosity—a genuine thirst for knowledge and understanding that goes beyond seeking only the immediate, practical applications of course material. Of course, practical relevance is important, especially in a business school where many students are working professionals… The classroom remains a forum for intellectual exchange and deeper exploration of the theories and constructs that underpin real-world practice.”

He added that this exchange is mutual: “I encourage students to come to class with open minds and a sense of curiosity that fosters meaningful dialogue and discovery. In that process, I also learn from my students, which makes the classroom experience all the more rewarding.”

With his rich experience across universities worldwide, Prof. Child emphasizes strengthening the connection between research, teaching, and practice: “At SKK GSB, I hope to contribute to bridging those gaps. In research, that means getting out into the field and collaborating directly with practitioners to ensure that academic insights help address real-world challenges. In teaching, it often means bringing those practitioners into the classroom to share their experiences and perspectives with students. I’ve always tried to incorporate a strong element of practice into my courses, and I plan to continue doing so here at SKK GSB. Of course, that will take time as I learn the ropes and build my professional network here in Seoul.”