Yuzheng Wang (王煜正)

I am a Graduate Student in Economics Research Intensive Track at Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics, the University of Chicago, and a PhD Candidate in Insurance and Actuarial Science at China Institute for Actuarial Science, Central University of Finance and Economics.

My research explores the design, provision, and regulation of public, private, and informal insurance.

I study how societies manage risk and develop systems of insurance over time. Drawing on public economics, financial economics of insurance, and financial history, I focus on three interconnected areas: social insurance and cash transfer programs, life insurance markets and pension funds, and financial organization in history. Through both theoretical modeling and empirical analysis, my work investigates how risk-sharing arrangements—from imperial fiscal institutions to modern insurance systems—shape risk-resisting behavior and intergenerational insurance.

Research

Publications

"The Impact of Long-Term Care Insurance on Family Intergenerational Transfers" (with Zaigui Yang, and Naiqi Wang). 2024. Volume 16, Number 1. Chinese Review of Financial Studies.

Working Papers

"Reputation, Liability Structure and Capital Strain" (with Hairuo Guo, Xianfu Jiao, and Sujin Zheng).
"From Narratives to Allocations: Hidden Frictions in Household Liquidity Management" (with Hairuo Guo).
"The Emperor’s Tael: Government Commitment Failure and Fiscal Reform Fizzle" (with Shuo Chen, Xinyu Fan, and Yu Hao).
"Clan Culture and Rural Organization: Evidence from China’s Farmer Cooperatives" (with Zhengwei Yan).
"The Health Returns to Unconditional Cash Transfers: Evidence from China’s Old Age Allowance". (with Zhengwei Yan).
"Endogenous Take-Up and the Optimal Design of Old Age Allowance".
"Old Age Allowance and Intergenerational Insurance".

Working in Progress

"Capital Relief, Hidden Risk: Asset-Side Shadow Insurance".
"Beyond the Bank Lending Channel: Insurance Companies as Liquidity Providers in the Great Depression".

Teaching

Introduction to Statistical Methods in Economics Spring 2026
Teaching Assistant, Undergraduate Course, with Prof. Murilo Ramos, The University of Chicago
Introduction to Econometrics Winter 2026
Teaching Assistant, Undergraduate Course, with Prof. Murilo Ramos, The University of Chicago
Big Data and Causal Inference Seminar Autumn 2023
Teaching Assistant, Graduate Course, with Prof. Sicheng Chen, Tsinghua University
Insurance Technology Spring 2023
Teaching Assistant, Graduate Course, with Prof. Hua Zhou, Central University of Finance and Economics
Research Seminar Summer 2022
Teaching Assistant, Graduate Course, with Prof. Shilin Zheng, China Academy of Social Sciences

Hobby

Yuzheng Wang began studying violin with his mother in his childhood. At the age of ten, he started studying with Prof. Zhinuo Ding, of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music, for twelve years. He was a member of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music's extracurricular string orchestra for elementary school students and children's choir. Later, he served as the concertmaster of the CUEF Symphony Orchestra, and the principal second violin of the UChicago Chamber Orchestra. Now he is a member of the UChicago Symphony Orchestra.

If it's your birthday today, congratulations! To celebrate, here is a violin performance of the "Happy Birthday" song just for you.

Contact Information

Yuzheng Wang

Email: yuzhengwang@uchicago.edu

Section Time: Friday 3:30-4:20pm

Section Location: SHFE 146

Office Hours: Thursday 5:00-6:00pm, Friday 4:30-5:30pm