NYU Stern Volatility and Risk Institute Expands with Launch at NYU Abu Dhabi
In the fall of 2025, Stern and NYUAD announced that the Volatility and Risk Institute (VRI) would expand to Abu Dhabi, following on the 2014 expansion to NYU Shanghai. This launch builds upon VRI’s global presence, creating a powerful research network across the world’s key financial regions and in locations as part of NYU’s global network.
The launch of the Volatility and Risk Institute at NYUAD (VaRIAD) is catalyzed both by the Gulf’s economic transformation and accelerated push toward decarbonization, and by the growing recognition that global analysis and solutions are needed for today’s global challenges. VaRIAD will serve as a critical hub for analyzing market volatility, investment risks, and economic opportunities associated with the global energy transition, as well as the other consequential global challenges from cyber, geopolitical, health, and financial risks.
The official launch was celebrated on October 29, 2025 with an event at NYUAD, with remarks from President Emeritus of NYU John Sexton, interim Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of NYUAD Fabio Piano, NYUAD Chief Academic Officer and Provost Arlie Petters, VRI co-director and Stern Professor Emeritus of Finance Robert Engle, VRI Co-Director and Clinical Professor Emeritus of Finance and Professor of Management Practice Richard Berner, VaRIAD Co-Directors Professors Jean Imbs and Etienne Wasmer, Executive Director of Volatility Institute at NYU Shanghai Xin Zhou, and Vice Dean of Programs at NYU Stern in Abu Dhabi Barbara Scheck.
