Academic in Finance and Economics bridging industry expertise with research and teaching excellence.

I am an investment professional turned academic, with 15 years experience working in the financial industry, and a proven ability to translate complex concepts into simplified terms. While my background discipline is actuarial mathematics, I have worked for most of my career in trading, derivative and investment roles. This included transacting futures, currency forwards, equity derivatives, interest rate swaps, options and option hedging strategies, and later working on a multi-billion discretionary investment portfolio at Coutts, London.

During my career I have run derivatives workshops, teaching about complex derivative instruments to colleagues, wealth managers and clients. After 15 years in the banking industry, I became interested in the areas of fintech and disruptive technologies, and the intersection with unconventional monetary policies, which led to my Ph.D. studies.

I have been a guest speaker, TA and lecturer at Trinity College Dublin since 2017 in the subjects of Derivatives, Investment Analysis, Asset Allocation, Investments, Introduction to Finance, and Fixed Income and Alternative Investments. For three years I ran the Derivatives module for Senior Sophister Undergraduates at Trinity Business School, and more recently the Financial Econometrics module at Master’s level. Through education, I hope to empower and inspire young people to pursue their dreams and realise their potential.

In 2024, I completed my Ph.D. in International Finance at Trinity Business School, investigating the relationship between unconventional monetary policy and cryptocurrency. My empirical analysis involved various econometric techniques, including Multivariate OLS, Vector-Autoregression, ARIMAX, Auto-Regressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) modelling and Machine Learning Sentiment Analysis using Python.

Most recently, I was an Assistant Professor at TCD Economics, in the area of Applied Economics and Big Data, where I designed and taught two new courses, 'Machine Learning for Economists' and ‘Financial Markets and Big Data’. Applied labs included: Random Forest to analyse equity market beta and nonlinear risk exposure | RNN and LSTM models for asset price prediction | Clustering techniques for Treasury yield curve analysis | Binary Logistic regression for corporate bond default prediction | Python-based pricing of forwards, swaps and options | Detection of mispriced options using Black-Scholes vs. market prices.

My research interests include behavioural economics, unconventional monetary policy and societal / financial market transmission, sentiment analysis, CBDCs, cryptocurrency, and fostering public trust in institutions. Education and research are my passions, and with a unique blend of industry and academic experience, I enjoy helping others learn about the sophisticated world of finance from a practical, theoretical and intuitive perspective.

Research Papers

Wylie, N., O’Hagan, M. “An Investigation of the Relationship between Unconventional Monetary Policy and Bitcoin Activity”

Abstract: This article investigates whether the unconventional monetary policy measures pursued by the Federal Reserve, the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan, and the European Central Bank since the Global Financial Crisis are associated with an appetite for cryptocurrency. Previous studies, which almost exclusively focus on the relationship between cryptocurrency price effects and UMP, do not find evidence to support this relationship, but cryptocurrency prices have been found to be heavily manipulated. This research extends beyond price effects, by examining underlying activity metrics for the most established cryptocurrency, bitcoin. It uses a novel dataset sourced from Twitter (rebranded X), to capture the reaction by social media users to UMP activity by the main central banks. Applying ARDL-OLS modelling, we find evidence to support a significantly positive relationship between social media attention surrounding Quantitative Easing and Negative Interest Rate Policy and bitcoin-related activity, and consistent with previous studies, no association with bitcoin returns. Our results may imply that perceived interference in the fiat monetary system is connected to the growing network effect of bitcoin, in part as a resistance movement against the power of institutional authority, reflecting an erosion of trust in central banks. Policy implications are discussed.

Wylie, N., O’Hagan, M. “A Qualitative Assessment of Quantitative Easing Sentiment”

Abstract: This mixed-method study undertakes a comprehensive inquiry of the public discourse on social media surrounding Quantitative Easing (QE) across the US, the UK, and the EU. Utilising a unique dataset of tweets, we reveal the public sentiment polarity towards QE policy to be strongly negative, at 71.23%, with positive sentiment a mere 4.26%. Distilling the negative QE sentiment, we identify prominent themes of ‘anti-government’, ‘anti-central bank’, ‘inequality’, ’ineffectiveness’, ‘inflation’, and ‘asset inflation’, and demonstrate a longitudinal association between perceived inequality and asset price inflation with an anti-establishment stance. We conclude with suggested central bank policy recommendations to restore and foster public trust.

Wylie, N., Belena, L. “Narratives and NIRP: The Behavioural Transmission of Negative Interest Rate Policy”

Abstract: This study investigates how institutional and public dimensions jointly transmit the effects of the European Central Bank’s (ECB’s) Negative Interest Rate Policy (NIRP) to financial markets. While prior research has concentrated on bank profitability and credit supply channels, evidence on aggregate risk appetite remains limited. We address this gap by constructing daily measures of NIRP-related attention and sentiment from Twitter(X), capturing real-time public discourse, and integrating them into an ARDL–Error Correction framework. To account for the strong persistence characteristics of financial and sentiment data, all series are fractionally integrated into a stationary but long-memory order. Our results show that surges in NIRP attention, particularly when accompanied by negative sentiment, are associated with rising broad equity prices, weaker bank equities, and lower OIS rate expectations and long-dated US yields. These patterns suggest that public narratives affect monetary policy transmission through a behavioural channel consistent with Prospect Theory. By linking social media sentiment to financial market dynamics within a fractionally integrated time-series framework, this study provides the first evidence of a sentiment-driven, market-wide risk-taking channel under NIRP

Wylie, N., “Central Bank Digital Currencies and Institutional Trust: Public Sentiment in the Covid-19 Era”

Abstract: Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are advancing from concept to implementation, making public trust central to their success. Using a unique dataset of CBDC-related posts from pre-X Twitter, this paper examines how sentiment, especially mistrust and conspiratorial narratives, evolved during Covid-era government interventions. Negative sentiment is strongly tied to themes of surveillance and loss of autonomy, and is more prevalent in individualistic societies. Conspiracy-linked tweets attract the highest engagement. A proposed quadratic sentiment model shows mistrust peaking early in the pandemic before easing as support measures expanded. The findings highlight that CBDC adoption depends less on design and more on public perception, trust, and narrative framing.

Book Chapter
Wylie, N., “AI for Financial Stability: Keeping Calm in the AI of the Storm”

Abstract: This chapter explores the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in wealth management, not merely as a tool for operational efficiency or portfolio optimisation, but as a behavioural stabiliser during market crises. Investors frequently make costly errors by reacting emotionally to short-term volatility, panic selling during downturns or buying into bubbles. These behaviours, rooted in fear, overconfidence and herd dynamics, contribute to systemic instability. Drawing on behavioural finance, narrative economics and historical market data, I propose a novel application of AI, an interactive dashboard that provides real-time, fact-based content during periods of uncertainty. Rather than offering predictions or financial advice, the dashboard delivers empirical insights from over a century of market history, including recovery patterns, drawdown timelines, and the consequences of missing key rebound days. The chapter demonstrates how AI can augment human advice, not replace it, supporting hybrid models of reassurance that combine data-driven insights with relational trust. I also consider broader societal benefits, from reduced volatility to enhanced public trust in institutions. By positioning AI as a public good that promotes financial stability and investor confidence, this chapter offers a practical vision for using technology to support decision-making when it matters most.

All papers listed are currently working papers or under peer review. Full drafts available on request.

Testimonials

“Dear Dr. Wylie - I have really enjoyed your Money & Banking B lectures this term, especially your highly engaging choice of guest lecturers. You have been a major influence in my decision to pursue a career in finance and I’d really appreciate the opportunity to stay connected.
Best Regards, Tom”

— BESS Student. May 2025

“I graduated from Business and Economics (BESS) but out of all the modules I took in my final year BUU44650 Derivatives with you was such a standout and really pushed me to pursue a finance career.”

— BESS Student, Mar 2024

“I recently completed your derivatives module in the final year of my studies. At the time of finishing I hadn’t a notion what next step to take, a masters was certainly not on my mind. I really liked your course and ended up doing quite well. This was a common theme with the finance/investments esque modules, leading me down the rabbit hole of potentially pursuing a masters in the finance discipline in the future.”

— Derivatives Student, Aug 2024

“I also want to express my gratitude for your support throughout the year. Your course was one of the most enjoyable and challenging experiences I’ve had at Trinity, and I am sincerely thankful for that.”

— Derivatives Student, May 2024

“Thank you again for your amazing support throughout my master’s thesis.”

— Masters Student, Aug 2024

“I wanted to wait until after results to email you, but just to say a massive thank you for your help in Derivatives this year. It has been without a doubt my favourite module over my 4 years studying MSISS in Trinity. I will be doing an internship this Summer in Global Markets in London and I am 100% certain that this module will be of huge value. I also really hope to land myself a job on a derivatives desk!”

— Derivatives Student, May 2024

“I’ve really really enjoyed the module and found it so interesting and useful, especially as I am doing a summer internship in Sales and Trading in Bank of America London this summer.”

— Derivatives Student, Apr 2024

“I am writing to you to express my gratitude for your teaching in the Derivatives module. While I am an MSISS student and finance & business was not my primary pathway, I am still very glad I picked that module. You have taught me a lot about the topic, but more importantly you have shown me that finance is not just about getting wealthy, it is about knowing when to take risks and when to take a step back. And this simple, but important principle is crucial in life in general.”

— MSISS Student, May 2023

“Thank you very much for guiding us about econometrics and its use in the real world. The exam paper presentation was very useful at the end. I have completed the reviews, and honestly this course was amazing indeed and an eye opener for me to revert back to the basics.”

— Econometrics Student, Oct 2023

“I gave you the best feedback I could. You’re an excellent teacher ... and I learned a lot from you both in this module and previous modules. Much gratitude for all your lectures and of course in detailed insights.
I had the best performance in your modules. You’re the best teacher we’ve had at Trinity.”

— Student Applied Economics and Big Data Diploma, May 2025

“I was a student in your Derivatives module this year. I found the module challenging yet rewarding and I’m chuffed with my results.”

— Derivatives Student, May 2022

“I had the pleasure of attending your Financial Derivatives class during my exchange semester at Trinity College Dublin (January to May 2024). I truly enjoyed your course, and it played a significant role in shaping my academic and professional interests in finance.”

— Visiting Student, Dec 2024

“I am an exchange student from a business school in France named Rennes School of Business. During this semester I have followed the derivatives module and I wanted to express my gratitude for your fantastic teaching. While the module was out of my year level, you managed to make it very understandable and your passion for the subject really is inspiring. Thank you very much!”

— Derivatives Student, Apr 2023

“Although banking is not something I expected to be interested in when I started this module, your engaging speaking style and particularly helpful explanations allowed me to learn more about banking than I ever expected to, and has sparked an interest in the subject. I also particularly enjoyed the assignment we did this term. This allowed me to try to write about a macroeconomic risk that I do not believe is discussed enough and allowed me to attempt to find solutions. I believe the experience of doing this assignment will help me in my professional development, in addition to acting as a reminder to why I study economics.Again, thank you for teaching me, and I hope to stay in touch.”

— Money & Banking Student, May 2025

“Dear Prof Wylie,
Congratulations on your new role ma’am. Based on the positive impact the whole finance cohort imbibed from your exceptional teaching skills and grasp of the subject knowledge, I am sure the firm will benefit greatly by having you, ma’am.
Thanks a ton for your best wishes, Best regards,”

— Econometrics Student, May 2025