The University Academic Program at Cornell University's College of Arts and Sciences officially approved the first independent study focused on bitcoin on January 11. The pioneer behind this academic milestone is Ella Hougha student at Cornell University, who will embark on a unique academic journey focused on bitcoin.
“The last 15 months have been a long but incredibly valuable road to approval,” Hough told bitcoin Magazine. “I continue to believe that dedicating my time and energy to studying bitcoin is the most worthwhile academic endeavor. I am particularly grateful to study it within the College of Arts and Sciences and at Cornell, whose founders championed the ideals that bitcoin embodies, warning of the dangers of fiat money inflation and supporting the development of rails for transferring monetary and currency-based wealth. knowledge”.
Ella's specialization will cover a wide range of subjects, including cognitive sciences, psychology, philosophy, information sciences, government, economics, anthropology, and history. This interdisciplinary approach reflects the multifaceted nature of bitcoin, exploring its cognitive and game-theoretic components, as well as its implications for adoption and social structures.
“When I was asked, 'What is my College Scholar major?' My answer would be bitcoin,” she explained in more detail. “The cognitive and game-theoretic components related to bitcoin adoption and the implications of bitcoin to emphasize why it matters.”
As part of the College Scholar program requirements, Ella will undertake the task of writing and presenting an honors thesis with an oral defense in May 2025. While her thesis will adapt and evolve based on new information over time She anticipates the central focus of her thesis will be on the global adoption and revolutionary implications of bitcoin as a network and asset. Her final thesis will be displayed at the university in Klarman Hall and housed in the program's permanent library, she told bitcoin Magazine.
A distinctive feature of Ella's new academic journey is her ability to choose the degree that will appear on her diploma and transcript. Pending approval from the Program Director, bitcoin will feature prominently on her official credentials, symbolizing her dedication to exploring the importance of this decentralized technology.
Ella's commitment to studying bitcoin extends beyond academia; She has taken the initiative to establish the first official bitcoin club at Cornell. The club will join bitcoin Generation bitcoin Students Network – A Gen Z-focused community created to support and inspire college and high school students to get involved in bitcoin.
“There is a humanitarian imperative affecting generations, present and future, to study all aspects of bitcoin and for students to be validated in their efforts,” Hough said. “My hope is that this precedent will encourage, empower and facilitate the path of other students to think beyond our current systems and build a more inclusive, truthful and honest world.”
Cornell University's endorsement of Ella Hough's bitcoin-focused degree marks a significant step toward recognizing the relevance and importance of bitcoin within traditional academic institutions. As bitcoin continues to shape the global financial landscape, Ella's pioneering work to officially expand her understanding of bitcoin at a prestigious university opens the doors for further exploration and understanding of this burgeoning technology.
