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Andrés Sánchez Niño is an MSc ’25 candidate, currently on exchange in Bergen, Norway, at the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH). He has contributed to the Lawrence National Centre for Policy and Management (LNC) as a researcher for the Canada-U.S. Trade and Investment Infographic Series. In the Q&A below, he discusses how he became involved with the LNC during a pivotal time in Canada-U.S. relations, the challenges and rewards of being a researcher overseas for this project, and the lessons he is bringing forward into his future career.
Q&A with Andrés Sánchez Niño
How did you first get involved as a researcher with the Lawrence National Centre for Policy and Management, and specifically with the Canada-U.S. Trade and Investment Infographic Series?
I have long been interested in the intersection between politics, public policies, and their effect on businesses. Last year, during my first term of the MSc in Management: International Business program, I was talking with peers and faculty about my future aspirations, interests, and potential career paths after Ivey. During one of those conversations, I had the opportunity to meet the Manager of the Lawrence National Centre for Public Policy and Management (LNC) at the time, who introduced me to the Centre’s research and mandate. I found that the LNC’s work aligns with the topics I enjoy learning about, and I was pleased to discover that Ivey researches the gap between businesses and governments.
This past January, I started working as a researcher on the Canada-U.S. Trade and Investment Infographic Series. With all the news and challenges that President Trump’s second term has brought, it has been insightful to dive deep into the implications of these changes; specifically, how trade, political, and diplomatic relationships between Canada and the U.S. are being reshaped.
What has it been like to contribute to a research project focused on such a timely, important, and newsworthy topic?
Working on a research project that evolves almost daily has been interesting. Nevertheless, the frequent announcements and policy changes – each with the potential to impact the stability of trade relations – has posed big challenges that our research team has had to learn to navigate. Finding the most up-to-date and relevant information while providing meaningful analyses within short time frames has also taught us to be adaptable. We are continuously revising the information we initially gathered to reflect the latest developments.
Given that our research is constantly in the news, it naturally draws a lot of attention. I believe that people, particularly those involved in business, can use the LNC’s infographic series as a resource to inform their decision-making.
Why is this research particularly relevant today?
Very few people could have anticipated that the tariffs and protectionist policies announced by President Trump during last year’s campaign would reach the magnitude and impact we have seen. In a fast-changing news cycle, where many important things happen at once, attention-worthy stories are overlooked. I believe the LNC’s Canada-U.S. Trade and Investment Infographic Series sheds light on the importance of bilateral commerce for the economies of both countries. Additionally, it also illustrates how those effects could be felt in people’s day-to-day lives. It is extremely important to share this information to a wide range of stakeholders in an easy-to-understand format.
Although some might assume that research projects like this – focused on the reciprocal relationship between North American countries – are only relevant for local audiences, we are seeing global impacts. For instance, as the world’s trade order begins to reshape itself and countries start to diversify trade away from traditional partners, the LNC’s project gains relevance in other regions such as Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
Given the historic and hard-to-navigate moments we are living through, the LNC’s Infographic Series will serve as a useful tool for decision-makers, businesspeople, and the broader public.
Will you continue to be involved in the additional phases to this research? If so, what are the next steps?
Yes, the project is expected to continue publishing infographics. In March, the Centre published the series’ first infographic on the importance of Canada-U.S. trade. Additional infographics are planned for publication in the coming months, analyzing other specific sectors relevant to Canada in greater detail. I look forward to continuing my participation as a researcher at the LNC as the project evolves.
What did you find to be the most challenging part of this project?
At times, it has been challenging to make sense of economic indicators and to find ways to communicate their meaning to wider audiences, while also communicating complex theories. Fortunately, I have received support and mentorship from Romel Mostafa (LNC Director), Mahmood Nanji (Policy Fellow), and Zsofia Agoston Villalba (Policy and Communications Specialist), who have shared their expertise and helped guide the project’s research.
From a personal perspective, I joined the LNC while living overseas. I am currently attending the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) in Bergen, Norway, as part of the Ivey-NHH double-degree MSc. Because of my location, I had to learn how to work on the project while being in a different time zone than the events I was researching, which has sometimes been difficult. There have been multiple times when I went to bed thinking about the information I had recently read, only to wake up and learn the news cycle had continued overnight, requiring me to adjust my work.
Conversely, what was the most rewarding aspect of your experience?
Learning about Canadian and American trade has been a valuable experience in itself. Nevertheless, what I have appreciated most as the research has progressed is the opportunity to learn about sectors and industries that I likely would not have explored in depth during my studies, had I not been involved in the project. For instance, I have often been surprised to learn about the extent of the impact that industries like automotive, energy, and agriculture have on the Canadian economy.
What has this experience taught you about international business?
We are currently experiencing how the global order, shaped over recent decades, is enduring many challenges – most recently COVID-19 and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The global stage is changing in real time and at a speed rarely ever seen before. The lesson I have learned from living though this period and actively researching this landscape is that businesses operating internationally must be able to plan strategically while also adapting to unforeseen events. Strategic planning implies carefully thinking about new investments in different countries, considering not only the status of the investment’s destinations, but also the possible consequences of changes in leadership in those countries. Likewise, companies’ adaptability will be put to the test, and being able to build up the capacity to respond quickly to evolving circumstances is key to their long-term success.
How do you think participating in this research will benefit your future career?
As I mentioned, one of my main interests is the intersection between public policy and business. Participating in this LNC research project has allowed me to learn about multiple industries and how they relate to governments. I believe this experience has encouraged me to broaden my horizons and consider career paths that I had not previously thought about.
Additionally, having to regularly research and present information to other team members has helped me improve my skills in these areas, which I am sure will be valuable in my future career.
What are your future career goals – and do you see them aligning with the work you’ve been doing with the LNC?
As I continue to gain personal and academic experiences during my studies at Ivey and through my exchange, my interests have expanded. In the future, I would like to work in industries related to public policy, economic development, and sustainability. I believe there are opportunities in both the public and private sectors, and that my work with the LNC will be a valuable asset for future job opportunities.
What advice would you give to other students who are interested in getting involved in research?
I have been very fortunate to find a project that aligns well with my personal interests. This has certainly contributed to the achievements I have been able to accomplish throughout this project. I would recommend that students start by identifying the topics they are most interested in and then find a related department at Ivey. It is important to take the initiative to reach out to staff or faculty and discuss how to get involved. In my experience, narrowing my interests and following up with the connections I made is what enabled me to join the LNC when the timing aligned with open positions.
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