Cornell University’s College of Arts & Sciences’ Robert S. Harrison College Scholar Program has made history by approving the first independent Bitcoin-focused study. The groundbreaking initiative was spearheaded by Ella Hough, a student at Cornell University, who is set to embark on a unique academic journey centered around Bitcoin.
Hough expressed her excitement about the approval, stating, “The past 15 months have been a long but incredibly worthwhile road to approval. I continue to believe that spending my time and energy studying Bitcoin is the most worthwhile academic endeavor. I’m particularly grateful to study it inside the College of Arts and Sciences and at Cornell, whose founders championed ideals Bitcoin embodies, warning of the dangers of fiat money inflation and supporting the development of rails to transfer knowledge-based and monetary wealth.”
Ella’s Robert S. Harrison College Scholar major will encompass a diverse range of subjects, including Cognitive Science, Psychology, Philosophy, Information Science, Government, Economics, Anthropology, and History. This interdisciplinary approach reflects the multifaceted nature of Bitcoin, exploring its cognitive and game theoretical components, as well as its implications for adoption and societal structures.
When asked about her major, Hough explained, “My response would be Bitcoin. The cognitive and game theoretical components related to Bitcoin adoption and the implications of Bitcoin to emphasize why it matters.”
As part of the Robert S. Harrison 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 is expected to adapt and evolve over time, Ella anticipates that the core focus will center around the worldwide adoption and revolutionary implications of Bitcoin as a network and asset. Her final thesis will be displayed at the university in Klarman Hall and will be kept in the permanent library of the program.
One notable aspect of Ella’s academic journey is her ability to choose the title that will appear on her transcript. Pending approval from the Director of the Program, Bitcoin will prominently feature in her official credentials, symbolizing her dedication to exploring the significance of this decentralized technology.
Ella’s commitment to studying Bitcoin goes beyond academia. She has taken the initiative to establish Cornell’s first official Bitcoin club, which will join Generation Bitcoin’s Bitcoin Students Network. This network is a Gen Z-focused community built to support and inspire college and high school-aged students to get involved in Bitcoin.
Hough emphasized the importance of studying all aspects of Bitcoin, stating, “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. My hope is that this precedent encourages, empowers, and eases the journey for other students to think outside our current systems and build a more inclusive, truthful, and honest world.”
As Bitcoin continues to shape the global financial landscape, Ella’s pioneering effort to further her understanding of Bitcoin at a prestigious university opens doors for further exploration and understanding of this burgeoning technology.
Source: [Bitcoin Magazine](https://bitcoinmagazine.com/business/cornell-universitys-college-scholar-program-approves-first-bitcoin-focused-degree)