Visiting Scholar Program, Institute of Asian Studies, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (January 2014)
Ph.D. in Monetary Economics, University Putra Malaysia, 2007-2011
Dr. Sayyed Mahdi Ziaei is a visiting associate professor of finance and economics at Wartburg College, bringing more than 16 years of university-level teaching experience across the United States, the Middle East, and Asia. He has instructed undergraduate and graduate students in a wide range of finance and economics subjects, combining rigorous academic theory with practical policy and industry applications.
Dr. Ziaei has an extensive research portfolio focused on monetary and fiscal policy, financial markets, macro-financial stability, and energy and environmental economics. He has authored close to 50 scholarly works, including journal articles, book chapters, and academic books. His scholarship includes publications in 10 high-impact factor journals, highlighting the global recognition and quality of his research contributions.
In addition to his academic roles, Dr. Ziaei has held research and analytical positions supporting public-sector financial planning, fiscal forecasting, and evidence-based policy evaluation, integrating advanced econometric approaches with real-world economic and financial decision-making. His current research continues to explore policy effectiveness, sustainable finance, market efficiency, and the intersection between energy markets and environmental policy.
Classes Taught
Principles of Economics
Financial Economics
Financial Markets and Modern Money
Money and Banking
Corporate Finance
Econometrics
Business Data Analytics
Energy Economics
Research Methods/Quantitative Analysis
Economic Development
International Economics
Research Interests
Monetary and fiscal policy analysis
Macroeconomic stability and financial system resilience
Financial markets, asset pricing, and market efficiency
Central banking and modern monetary systems
Applied econometrics and time-series modeling
Energy economics and environmental sustainability
International economics and global capital flows
Selected Publications
Ziaei. S. M. (2025), Public spending on Energy innovations and CO2 impacts: Evidence from selected OECD countries, Green Technologies and Sustainability. 100137.
Ziaei. S. M. (2023) The impacts of household social benefits, public expenditure on labour markets, and household financial assets on the renewable energy sector. Renewable Energy, 181, 51e58.
Ziaei. S. M. & Szulczyk. S K. (2022). Estimating the Potential of Algal Biodiesel to Improve the Environment and Mitigate Palm Oil Mill Effluents in Malaysia. Journal of Cleaner Production. 338,130583.
Ziaei. S.M. (2021). The impact of corporations and banking system leverage on renewable energy: Evidence from selected OECD countries. Renewable Energy Focus. 37, 68-77. (ISI, IF=4.8).
Ziaei. S.M., and Issa, A. (2021). Commodity Exports and Macroeconomic Performance: The Case of Palm Oil in Malaysia. Cogent of economics and finance. 9, 1901388.
Ziaei. S.M. (2021). The Relationship Between Oil Prices, Global Economic Policy Uncertainty And Financial Market Stress, Journal of Energy Markets.14(3), 1-16.
Ziaei. S.M. (2018). Interest rate spread and energy consumption (Evidence of pre and post implementation of the Fed’s LSAPs policy). Energy reports , 4, 288-302.
Ziaei, S. M. (2015). Effects of financial development indicators on energy consumption and CO2 emission of European, East Asian and Oceania countries, Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 42, 752-759.
Ziaei, S. M. (2014). Evaluate effects of monetary policy shocks on aggregate demand components in GCC Countries. Journal of developing areas,48(1), 405-423
