If you're thinking of going travelling but want to check out some Master's programs at the same time, take a look at our program listings. Set up a Virtual Private Network A virtual private network, or VPN, is a service that makes it safe and secure to use the Internet anywhere you happen to be. It does this by sending your connection through a server that hides what you're doing online. VPNs can be used wherever your travels take you and any data you use or create will be encrypted. That way no one can identify your computer, access your school data or steal your personal information. Make sure you're familiar with how VPNs are used in the countries you travel and be prepared for any technological or legal limitations in those places. Find an online study program Clearly a traditional program won't allow you to skip class and travel as the whim takes you. For that reason, you'll need to find an accredited and reputable online Master's degree program that you can access anywhere. There are many programs of this sort based out of many colleges and universities across the globe so do your research and find the one that best fits your area of study and your needs as you travel. Combine your itinerary with course requirements Whether you're traveling for work, pleasure or as a member of the military, look through the course requirements as you plan your trip itinerary. You will want to create an easy week if you have exams or a paper to write; don't pack your travel with sightseeing or constant meetings during these times! When you have an intense of week of study ahead of you, try to schedule more downtime or stops in relaxed locations where you'll have the time to get down to business when it's important. Pack the right materials You don't want to find yourself hundreds or thousands of miles from home without the materials you need to do your coursework. Make sure you have packed all relevant books, papers, and software you'll need to keep track of and complete your studies when you're away from home. In addition to that, you'll also want to make sure you have your laptop, smartphone, pencils, pens, notebooks, and any other supplies to help you study. You may want to subscribe to an online library so you can do research even if you can't get to a brick and mortar library. Enjoy the benefits The biggest perk to traveling while you do your Master's degree is the freedom to see the world and complete your bucket list without having to give up your ambitions when it comes to your education. While you travel, you will also be gaining worldly experience that will supplement your field of study and give you valuable skills and experiences you can include on your resume when you're ready to find a job using your Master's degree. Online classes are generally small, giving you a closer relationship with your instructor and peers so you can get the most out of your studies even if you're busy traveling. Understand the drawbacks As with anything, there are some cons to consider when you travel and complete your Master's degree at the same time. While they probably aren't serious enough to deter, it makes sense to understand the possible drawbacks so you can put a plan into place to deal with them. When you're travelling, you might find it hard to find the motivation to take the time to study and do your coursework. You will need to create a doable schedule that includes time for school so that you don't feel that you're missing out when you travel, but so you also don't get behind. Another possible drawback is that it could be hard to find an appropriate place to study when you aren't familiar with your location. Research each destination on your itinerary so you can find coffee shops, hostels geared for students, or libraries where you can settle in and get work done. Pay attention to time zones This is important as your work will have deadlines and you'll need to make sure you know what time it is where the assignment is due so that you get it turned in on time, regardless of where you happen to be at the time. Don't miss any deadlines because you thought you were five hours behind, but you were actually five hours ahead! Studying online is a prime way to have the freedom to travel and gain world experiences as you earn your Master's degree. Being prepared for everything you'll encounter means a smooth ride and enjoyable and productive travels. Bon voyage!
Having a Master's degree is a valuable way to advance your career and gain more knowledge in your chosen field. Unlike an undergraduate degree program, you may not have to go to school full time to achieve this step in your education. However, it does require some time and effort, which means you'll need to figure out how to fit it in with your lifestyle. If that lifestyle includes travel as a priority, you may wonder how you can complete your Master's without giving up your travel schedule. The good news is that you can do both. It won't be the conventional way to graduation that most post-grad students follow, but it can be done and you'll enjoy the freedom to travel while also completing your degree. Here's what you should know.
Universal Basic Income: a panacea for society's ills?
Browse our job listings for more opportunities Its popularity has risen in correlation with the increasing economic inequality that is now endemic across Europe, and whose spread, political tinkering has done little to inhibit. For their failure to address this widening gulf, centrist parties of the left and right have been punished at the polls, and politics has polarised. Electorates and experts, alike, have begun casting their eyes further afield for something more radical, something more transformative to address the crises in which societies are mired. Many have alighted on UBI as one such solution. But what exactly is Universal Basic Income? And what do its proponents say about it? UBI is cash payment delivered, periodically, to all individuals, without means testing, and regardless of employment status. The income is considered a right, and there are no restrictions placed on what it can be used for. There also exist variants on UBI, differentiated by those who are entitled to receive payment, called, simply, a Basic Income (BI) - context, generally, dictating the restriction. The following is a contemplation on the potential of such policies. Offsets technology-induced and stressful state of unemployment As technology advances with ever-growing rapidity more and more jobs are being lost to robots and algorithms. People entering the workforce now, unlike previous generations, are told to expect multiple career changes in their lives, and to brace themselves for periods of unemployment or low income whilst in between professions. For some, this reality is already being felt, and it's not a pleasant one. There is much research that shows enforced profession change, as will soon be completely mundane, can be psychologically very damaging. An issue compounded by the financial scarcity that is often its by-product. UBI would ease this stressful transition, allowing the jobless to get back to their feet while retaining their dignity, find suitable new work or training, and eventually restart contributing to the economy. The removal of absolute scarcity during this interim period has been shown to facilitate better decision-making by the individual - reducing rashness and encouraging a closer consideration of the longer term. The power to rejuvenate Sceptics of the proposition often question how society could justify giving free money to drug addicts, alcoholics, and ex-criminals, as they would be guaranteed under UBI. On this count, the evidence actually points to UBI having largely positive effects. A trial in Liberia revealed that many addicts and criminals who received UBI, rather than squandering their money as many presumed they would, spent their monthly endowments on subsistence and what the study described as ‘legitimate enterprise’. Similarly, in Give People Money, Journalist Annie Lowrey, identifies a UBI pilot in a small village in Kenya as producing the same results. Before the pilot, the village was made up of dirt roads, had little access to electricity and ran a largely open sewage system. Midway through – the program is ongoing – and the village has been transformed, almost unrecognisable, and is now a prime example of what Lowrey calls innovative entrepreneurship. Both of the above examples speak to an interesting psychological quirk that is often revealed in the discussion of UBI. Namely, when asked about its viability individuals tend to think that although they themselves would put their grant to good use, the initiative would fall down because of the profligacy of others, who are likely to make ill-advised, wasteful choices. In actual fact, when put into practice, UBI has consistently shown that people, irrespective of background, tend to be impressively shrewd when putting their money to use. Reduction in ever-growing bureaucracy In most states, there exist countless governmental organisations responsible for helping those in poverty, handing out unemployment benefits, food stamps, etc. The running of such sprawling, intertwining welfare programs is expensive, time-consuming, and often complicated for both administrators and recipients. A simple cash payment directly to the individual would cut down on this bureaucracy. To give some sense of scale, in the US there are 79 different means-tested programs. To the pleasure of all those concerned with reducing government and red tape, all these could all be scrapped with the introduction of a UBI. Tackling domestic abuse Less publically discussed, but of equally vital importance is its power to tackle abuse. To society’s embarrassment, domestic violence remains prevalent wherever you go. Those who suffer abuse - the majority of which are women - often remain trapped in violent situations, lacking the financial means needed to escape. By ensuring a certain level of financial independence, as UBI would provide, the process of leaving an abusive partner would be simplified. It is unclear how many people currently suffering in silence this could help. Empowering workers Those on the left see UBI as an opportunity to empower the working class, providing them with what historian Rutger Bergman has called ‘real freedom’. For him, this freedom is predicated on the ability to say no, a privilege currently enjoyed exclusively by the rich. UBI, he believes, would give individuals the ability to say no to jobs they didn’t want, to cities they no longer wanted to live in, and to employers who treated them unfairly – that ‘is what real freedom looks like’. Additionally, the redistribution of wealth would provide workers with greater bargaining power. As Annie Lowrey has questioned, ‘why take a crummy job for 7.25 an hour when you have a guaranteed 1,000 dollars a month to fall back on?’ In such a situation, employers would be inclined to take seriously the demands of their workforce, and improving working conditions would likely follow. The future of UBI In many people’s minds what is still lacking is a satisfactorily long, randomised trial of UBI, run with a sufficiently large pool of people. Currently, empirical proof of its long-term success or lack thereof simply does not exist. Even the much-hyped trial recently concluded in Finland, lasted just two years, focused only on the unemployed, and has already been criticised for lacking the scale or ambition to really put UBI, or Basic Income, to the test. Nonetheless, with its promises of transferring not just money, but dignify, responsibility and power back to the people UBI remains a seductive prospect, and one certainly worthy of continued experimentation. Trials are being planned for places as far-flung as India, Iran, and Scotland, and it’s with great anticipation we wait to see how they fare. UBI may yet have its time in the sun.
As a policy, support for Universal Basic Income (UBI) flouts traditional political and social lines, making unlikely bedfellows of those on both the right and left wing. Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, free-market evangelist Milton Friedman, and firebrand economist Yanis Varoufakis all count among its high profile, and rather disparate, champions. With the help of their advocacy the initiative has entered into mainstream consciousness, and widespread political discussion of its implementation, in contrast to a few years ago, is now readily had. Gone are the days in which UBI was simply dismissed as an unattainable utopian concept.
Public Economics & Economic Policy (JEL H)
Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics (JEL E)
Economists are almost unanimous in their assessment that in this scenario the British economy would take a battering, and possibly slip into recession. Projections make for dismal reading and include a GDP depreciation of 9%, a drastic fall in house prices and a possible run on the pound. For most this is nothing new. Ardent remainers remind us of these forecasts on a daily basis, appearing to revel in the delivery of such gloomy predictions - project fear showing it has legs yet. Less, on the other hand, tends to be said of the damaging effects a ‘disorderly exit’ would have on the 27 remaining EU member states. Indeed, for those countries with high levels of integration with the UK economy, these effects could be severe. Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany stand out among those most at risk. Below we take a closer look at what each country can expect if, come March 31st, Britain leaves the EU with no withdrawal agreement in place, and reverts to WTO tariffs to regulate its trade. Ireland Worst affected of the EU27 countries is likely to be Ireland because of the highly integrated nature of the Irish and UK economies. Annually, Irelands’ trade with the UK is worth an estimated €65 billion, and sustains over 400,000 jobs on both islands. For this reason, the imposition of steep WTO tariffs on this trade; the huge increase in customs paperwork; and the risk of long delays on goods and shipments to and from the European mainland has got Irish businesses frantically preparing for the worst. And their fears seem to arranted. Only recently, the IMF predicted that Dublin would suffer a 4% hit to its GDP. Mainly, this is because two of the country’s top exports – meat and dairy products – would face some of the highest tariffs, as per WTO instruction. The price increase would be absorbed by the consumer and massively reduce the products’ competitiveness, meaning profits would tumble and businesses falter. Commenting on the consequences of no deal, Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, Phillip Lane, warned that ‘the agri-food sector would be disproportionately affected, with a corresponding outsized [negative] impact on rural regions, especially near the Border.’ The economic damage, he cautioned, although unevenly distributed, would also likely be ubiquitous, every area of economic activity enduring at least some disruptive effects. And this, of course, is before even mentioning the backstop. The European Commission has made it clear that no deal would make the creation of a hard border unavoidable. There is widespread fear that anything but a soft border could destabilise Ireland’s highly sensitive peace process – a hard border compared, by one leading expert, as like re-opening a ‘gaping wound’. Netherlands Britain is the Netherlands' third-biggest trading partner and also stands to take a significant economic hit. A study from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development expects exports to Britain to fall by 17% if no withdrawal agreement is secured. Research published by the Dutch Court of Audit has fleshed out these claims, estimating that this would cost the Netherlands an estimated €2.3 billion by 2023. Acute disruption would be especially felt in port cities like Rotterdam whose docks, rail yards and warehouses handle nearly 1 million tonnes of goods moving to and from Britain every week. With increased customs inspections shipping and logistics companies are predicting that what currently takes a day to get to Britain could, post-Brexit, take almost two. For a system in which margins of error are customarily measured in minutes, this is a dramatic increase, and there is concern that the roads leading to the ports will quickly come to look like parking lots. At present, there is no overflow space for trucks unable to drive straight onto ships. Belgium Neighbouring Belgium is also bracing itself. Former Minister Johan Van Overtveldt has been explicit in his warnings, explaining: 'Belgium is the fourth exporter, in nominal amounts, into the UK, on a par with France, which is a much bigger country. And so, if Brexit goes the wrong way, in terms of the hard Brexit, it will hurt the Belgian economy very seriously.’ The Belgian government has told businesses that a no-deal Brexit could lead to the imposition of up to €2.2bn (£1.96bn) in extra tariffs on goods and the loss of more than 40,000 jobs. It intends to present a series of emergency Brexit legislation to parliament before the end of February to avoid any further Belgium’s finance minister, Alexander de Croo, has complained that the British need to finally decide what they actually want from negotiations. 'Over the last few months we’ve fallen from one surprise into another,' he said in an interview with radio-station De Ochtend. 'The only constant is that the British are masters at shooting themselves in the foot and creating associated chaos.' The scale of that potential chaos he made clear claiming that only 5,000 of the 25,000 Belgian companies that trade with Britain were ready for the customs checks that could follow Brexit. How this deficit will be handled remains to be seen. Germany Even the economic powerhouse Germany will face trouble. Currently, the country exports an array of industrial goods to Britain, including around 800,000 cars per year - 14% of all cars it produces domestically - which accounts for 20% of the country’s global exports. No deal would jeopardise at least 100,000 jobs, and economists have calculated that 15,000 workers in the German car industry - t close to one in ten - could be made redundant if WTO tariffs sprang up in Britain. The blow would be felt across much of the country but it would probably concentrate on high-tech manufacturing centres such as Wolfsburg, the home of Volkswagen, and Böblingen, a suburb of Stuttgart where Siemens and IBM are the leading employers. In a potential sign of things to come, the flow of German products to the UK has fallen between 6-8% since the Brexit referendum.
The Brexit clock is now deafening, and the British political and media establishments seem utterly consumed by its inexorable ticking. In the public realm, little else is considered, even less discussed. And yet, despite this obsession, with just 42 days before Britain departs the European Union, negotiations for a withdrawal agreement remain in deadlock, and the hopes of breakthrough seem to be fading. At the core of the dispute is the Irish backstop and, by proxy, participation in a customs union. On both, neither the Conservatives nor Labour appears capable of sincere compromise, favouring, instead, a game of high-risk brinksmanship. The stakes: the future of the country. By using the approaching deadline as leverage, aimed to cow opposition, Prime Minister Theresa May is gambling, big. And at the point of writing, it's unclear who will hold their nerve. Without concessions being made, Britain will crash out of the EU with no deal, with World Trade Organisation (WTO) tariffs beckoning.
Urban, Rural and Transportation Economics (JEL R)
No Deal Brexit and the Threat to Developing Countries
Chances of a Brexit deal fade Prime Minister Theresa May continues, with almost admirable obstinacy, to defy political convention, staggering on apparently blind to the repeated failures of her ailing administration. Her political capital on this issue has long been exhausted, a fact hammered home by the record-breaking rejection of her withdrawal agreement in Parliament – the last in a long series of nails in her coffin. It now seems highly unlikely that a May-led government could get any kind of Brexit deal through Parliament, such is her tarnished reputation. And for this reason, the dreaded 'no deal' edges closer, simply because anything else seems so improbable. Everything But Arms Developing countries have been watching this process as one would a slow-motion car crash: with a mixture of terror, powerlessness, and morbid fascination. Their concern revolves around the Everything But Arms (EBA) agreement, which currently permits the 49 Least Developed Countries to export to the European Union, duty and quota-free, with the exception - as the name indicates - of armaments. The initiative came into force in 2001 with the aim to encourage the development of the world’s poorest economies. Since its inception, it has been widely commended for ‘levelling of the playing field’. The simulations don't look good Brexit, however, threatens its practice. In both hard exit and a 'no deal' scenarios these vulnerable states would be denied access to the UK market through EBA, and the consequences, in some cases, could be dire. Simulations run by the German Development Institute (GDI), published earlier this month, have shown the impact various forms of Brexit would have on countries outside of Europe. In its results, Cambodia is forecast to take the 'heaviest blow'. At present, it sends 7.7% of its exports – mostly garments and footwear - to the UK. Kristen Hopewell, a lecturer at Edinburgh University, predicts that in the case of no deal and a reversion to World Trade Organisation rules, the country would simply be ‘priced out of the market’, becoming ‘collateral damage in the Brexit process’. As a result of increased tariffs, Cambodia’s GDP is projected to fall by 1.04%, and household consumption by 1.4%. The effects of this would be stark: the proportion of Cambodians living in extreme poverty would increase by around 1%, equating to over 150,000 people. Ethiopia is expected to endure a similar fate following a no deal. Its main exports coffee and vegetables would struggle to compete in the British market without the preferential treatment the EBA ensures. Competition from advanced economies would significantly diminish the UK demand for Ethiopian goods – a phenomenon generally known as ‘the trade destruction effect’. Estimates suggest this decline in trade, given the country’s economic dependence on the UK, would plunge an additional 1.12% of Ethiopians into extreme poverty. Bangladesh also stands to be hit hard, according to the report. Goods sold to Britain make up 9% of the country’s exports, the large majority of which are Ready Made Garments (RMG). Hannah Timmis, a researcher at the Center for Global Development, has predicted that under WTO regulations the already stricken country would see a $400,000,000 reduction in its exports - a huge blow to a fragile economy. Millions could be plunged into poverty Overall, the GDI simulation estimates that a 'no deal' Brexit could ‘increase the population living in extreme poverty in the EBA countries by nearly 1.7 million’. And this shocking assessment is actually thought to be a conservative one, because it does not take into consideration the knock-on effects of a damaged UK economy. British economic downturn, for instance, is likely to decrease state aid, foreign investment and remittances, all, at the very least, in the short term. Many of the EBA countries are dependant on these sources of income for the maintenance of already-stretched systems of welfare and other vital national infrastructure. Without contingency plans, the consequences could be deadly. It is unsurprising that there is such concern. The government response Of course, it is possible that the UK government could act to ward off such outcomes, and pass legislation to replicate the EBA agreement, a process that would have to be carried out on a country-by-country basis, and, to avoid disruption and the diversion of trade away from developing countries, be secured by the 29 March. The general consensus is that these trade agreements will eventually be struck, as even outside of the humanitarian concern the UK’s economy also heavily relies on this business. What is far more doubtful is whether they will be reached on time. On this the GDI is sceptical, stating the ‘UK may draw up new free trade agreements with individual developing countries, but that is unlikely given the short notice and [if it did] it would limit the number of countries covered.’ There also exists the belief that as Britain has shown such flagrant disregard for its own economic welfare – a no deal would epitomise this – it would be irresponsible to expect it to treat others any differently. This, perhaps, is too cynical. People’s lives are reliant on UK trade. And it must be this that is at the centre of the decision making process. All must be done to avoid missing the 29th March deadline, and if that is not possible, then to strike deals as quickly as is possible. Unfortunately, in the uncertainty and unpredictability of current moment, nothing can be guaranteed.
In the cacophony of the Brexit debate the names Phnom Penh, Dhaka and Addis Ababa, if ever spoken, are rarely heard. And yet, with the March deadline looming on the not-too-distant horizon, and little, if anything, seemingly agreed upon, it is they who stand to be most affected, particularly if a no deal comes to pass. And things in that regard are not looking good.
Economic Development, Innovation and Growth (JEL O)
No Deal Brexit and the Threat to UK Universities
The threat to universities Last week it was the turn of the universities to express their horror at a possibility of a ‘no deal’. An open letter from five higher education groups, including the Russell Group and University Alliance, described its consequences, unequivocally, as the ‘biggest threat’ UK universities have ever faced. As of January 2019, the bodies collectively represented 50,000 EU staff and 130,000 EU students in the UK, along with 15,000 UK students studying on the continent - all, they stressed, now face a future fraught with uncertainty. For some institutions, the threat posed is an existential one. With the number of EU students predicted to fall as much as 60%, and a potential loss of an estimated €1.3bn of European Research Funding, certain universities could be forced to seek government bailouts to stay open. In such a scenario, the government's response remains uncertain, the current signs, though, look far from positive. Just two months ago, the Office for Students (OfS) declared that universities that were not financially sustainable would not be bailed out. Evidently, the mantra ‘too big to fail’, a favourite of the banks, doesn’t seem to apply to educational institutions. Failing finances These predictions, too, come at a time when British universities are already feeling the pinch. Earlier this year regulators warned that many stood on ‘the brink of a credit crunch’, having embarked on ill-advised borrowing sprees designed to boost student intake. The sector’s debt is reported to have risen to £10.8 billion, more than three times what it was prior to the financial crash. And now the fear is that ‘no deal Brexit’ will be like dousing an already dangerous looking fire with a can of petrol, while simultaneously knowing that the fire service is on strike. To make matters even worse, university closure, if it does happen, is likely to be regionally uneven and will help exacerbate existing inequality. As Vice Chancellor of Buckingham University Sir Anthony Seldon has warned, “The ones that will close will be in the areas of greatest social and economic need. The damage that will do will be immense to the social fabric of this country and the economy of those regions.” So far, there has been little reassurance that measures will be taken to prevent this outcome. Government response, or lack thereof Rather, the common response, when there’s been one, has been a reminder of the government’s adherence to the principle ‘science knows no borders’ and the promise that Brexit will not jeopardise this. Yet, with only the Horizon 2020 funding guaranteed, this has for some time sounded like empty rhetoric. The maxim itself, though, is informative, recognising that scientific research would be among the worst hit areas in the case of ‘no deal’. For instance, projects involving the development of cancer treatments and the combatting of climate change are widely expected to be compromised. Certainly, vice-chancellors remain unconvinced the requisite measures will be implemented, and are seeking ‘cast-iron guarantees’ that European Research Council and Marie Sklodowska-Curie funding, in particular, will either be protected or replaced. Without, they fear academics and researchers, and those considering relocating to the UK for academic purposes will rethink. This would disrupt essential research networks, and in the process, further dis-incentivise research in the UK. Vice-Chancellor of Warwick University, Stuart Croft, has suggested this would eventually even affect British nationals, and force them to ‘think hard about their positions.’ The wider concerns The projected brain drain would hit the economy too, at a time, which - if post-Brexit forecasts are anything to go by - it will likely already be floundering. Currently, the university sector contributes £21bn to UK GDP every year and supports almost a million jobs, making the potential problem, as university heads have put it, ‘critical to the national interest’. It would constitute, they say, ‘an academic, cultural and scientific setback from which it would take decades to recover.’ Alongside the NHS and BBC, British universities are among the UK’s most prized possessions. Their history of innovation and breakthrough has accounted for countless advances in the natural sciences, technology, and medicine, and has pushed boundaries in both literature and the arts. Their legacy is everywhere and unavoidable. For the UK to achieve the thriving post-Brexit future it craves its universities will have to play an integral role - their protection, thus, is imperative. Assurances must be given so that, regardless of the political outcome, regardless of in-party fighting, personal opportunism, and all we have come to expect from the political classes, the most damaging effects on British higher education can be kept to an absolute minimum. Britain’s future relies on it.
With every passing day - and they seem to be whizzing by now – the likelihood of the UK leaving the EU without a deal, known as a ‘no deal Brexit’, is increasing. For the large majority, the prospect of this is nightmarish. In the event, it is widely understood that there would be a number of inevitabilities: the economy would slump, possibly crash; many businesses would flee, and with them whatever tax receipts they hadn’t yet evaded; and the Tory hard right would sit back and revel. That only a handful of MPs and a slither of the broader population actually desire this, testifies to the failure of parliament, and more so, the failure of government in dealing with the negotiations. For two years, it has concerned itself with little else, shelving manifesto pledges to deliver the country here, to the now. And the situation, to put it lightly, is a shambles.
Looking for a graduate program to continue your studies? Check out our program listings. Odds and the efficient market hypothesis If you go to make a bet on a particular sporting outcome, the bookmaker will offer you odds: that is, their figure for how much they will pay out if you win the bet, based on their estimation of the probability of you winning. For an event that is highly likely, you will get odds that pay out very little, but for an unexpected turn of events, you would be paid more. Setting these odds is one of the most important jobs of a bookmaker, as the odds that they offer must be realistic enough to draw in betters but not too generous that the bookmaker risks losing money. The economics comes in when we consider the efficient market hypothesis, which states that markets will natural organise themselves into the most efficient form, so that the price of any goods or services are inherently linked to the worth of those goods or services. This assumption is pervasive throughout economics theory, and if it held for sports betting then we would expect that the odds offered by a bookmaker represented the exact odds of that event occurring. However, this is clearly not the case as if it was, neither bookmakers nor gamblers would ever make a long-term profit. Instead, both bookmakers and betters are driven by psychological forces, such as peer pressure – feeling that you ought to make a bet because everyone else is doing so – and the sunk cost fallacy – when you know your faith in a certain team is misplaced but you keep betting on them anyway because you don't want to confront the fact you were wrong about their skills. These are examples of a recent approach to economics, behavioural economics, which has been championed by Richard Thaler and others and which seeks to bring together insights from both economics and psychology. The costs and benefits of gambling Another feature of gambling noted by both economists and psychologists is the individual differences in how people respond to betting. For the majority of people who gamble, betting is an entertaining activity that they enjoy periodically and usually don't take too seriously. But for a minority of people, gambling becomes highly addictive and a destructive force in their lives. It is for this reason that gambling is heavily regulated in most countries and outright banned in others. There is a tension here between the free market approach which would classify sports betting as similar to trading on the stock exchange or any other kind of investment activity, and a paternalistic approach which says that gambling can be harmful and people should not be allowed unfettered access to gambling. As David Forrest put it in his 2013 paper on gambling in Great Britain, “Across the World, there therefore appears to be a strong current of opinion that gambling is 'exceptional' and has special characteristics which mean that significant numbers in the population would, unrestrained by restrictions, take systematically poor and self-harming decisions about their levels of consumption.” Gambling clearly brings pleasure and amusement to many, but the fact that it is regulated in most places shows that despite economic assumptions that people will maximise their own self-interest, when betting, they often do not. The economics of match-fixing A final point of interest when looking at the role of economics in sports betting is that of match-fixing. Match-fixing is a problem throughout both amateur and professional sports, and some argue that fixing arises in part because the stars of sports are young players who are often from humble backgrounds, who may not have a lot of experience with issues of finance, and taking bribes to fix a match is a temptation that is too strong for them to ignore. However, economic theory suggests that the problem is more complex than young men who suddenly become famous having poor impulse control. In his paper on match-fixing from 2015, Bibhas Saha argues that there are hidden economic incentives to cheat. He divides cheating behaviours into “cheating to win” like smuggling notes into an exam, and “cheating to lose” like a student who deliberately flunks an exam because she does not want to continue her field of study despite her family's ardent wishes. But match-fixing is different, because the aim is not for the player being bribed to lose, but rather to under-perform. The issue is that this method of cheating is hard to spot, especially in team sports where each player has only a limited influence on the outcome of a match. Further, with the rise of betting websites, there are more incentives for players to participate in match-fixing because there are more financial opportunities available, and the anonymised exchange of money facilitated by these sites makes taking that money less risky. One way to identify this more complex form of cheating is to look at aggregated data from betting websites, which is what Christine Deutscher and colleagues did in their 2017 review of match-fixing in the German Bundesliga. By examining data from the website Betfair they were able to identify specific referees whose matches brought in a significantly higher number of bets than other referees, possibly suggesting improper behaviour. They point out the often low salaries that referees receive as an incentive to participate in match-fixing as well as the short term contracts many are on which makes them uncertain about their financial future. Seen in economic terms, match-fixing may be less of a moral failure and more of a rational financial decision for sports professionals. As match-fixing by team officials is especially hard to detect, this kind of analysis using large data sets may be the best chance we have to identify cheating in team sports right now.
One area of life that is greatly influenced by economics but you might not think of as a typical economics topic is sports and match betting. Gambling on sporting events is a huge international multimillion dollar industry covering gambling from traditional betting events like dog or horse races to modern betting outfits that let you place bets on everything from how many goals will be scored in a given match to which players will be picked for a draft. As betting on sports events is essentially an exercise in modelling and probability, we can use the lens of economics to understand more about how match betting works.
Università degli Studi Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria
The Università degli Studi Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria combines tradition with an orientation towards the future. It is a young and dynamic public institution that keeps strong connections within its socio-economic context while looking for internationalization. Located on the Messina Strait, at the heart of the Mediterranean Area, it aims to be an internationally reputed European research University and to provide high-quality education for both domestic and international students. Its strength lies in its integrated range of disciplines that result in interesting opportunities for interdisciplinarity in research and teaching. Research and teaching specializations evindently in the Ph.D. programs. Many scientists from all over the world are linked to researches carried out at the Università Mediterranea, which commits itself towards emphasizing the advancement of young scientists and the further development of its range of degree's programs by seizing the opportunities offered by the Bologna System.
Looking for a job in economics? Check out our job listings. On first view, economics and ethics appear incompatible Economics is based primarily on the view of people as rational actors, who will make predictable decisions to optimise their own well being. Rational choice theory states that an agent can be said to be acting rationally if they have rational preferences and they choose the option which is preferential to them compared to the alternatives. Under this understanding, the key factor that economics attempts to optimise is preference satisfaction. Inherent in this approach is the assumption that human well being is served best by allowing people to choose whatever will satisfy their individual preferences best. However, there are clearly limitations to this view. Someone might have preferences which are detrimental to their well being, such as a belief that a pseudoscientific treatment will improve their health and a preference towards that treatment over conventional medicine when they fall ill. A totally free market for healthcare with no restrictions on misleading advertising and no requirement to base treatments on evidence might satisfy individual preferences, but it would be hard to argue that it would benefit human well being when it would cause more people to become sick and die. On the other hand, economists might argue that preference satisfaction is valuable not because it promotes human well being, but because it is a method for optimising the efficient sharing of resources. Under this view, ethics is not within the realm of economics, as the two are totally different frameworks for approaching the world. Market forces require companies to consider ethical values The problem of differentiating economics from ethics in this way is that ethical concerns do have a marked impact on economical issues. It may be most efficient, for example, for a business to employ children. Children cost less in wages than adults and they can perform tasks such as squeezing into small spaces which adults cannot. However, most people would recoil at the use of child labour in this way. Any company which sells a product or service to customers but which makes use of child labour could expect to lose support and to be the target of public scrutiny. Therefore, it is in the interest of the business to behave ethically, at least to a degree that customers can accept. If customers' preferences include not buying into a supply chain which uses child labour, then businesses need to consider the ethical views of the public and produce their goods in a way that does not violate those preferences. You could say that this is simply another case of satisfaction of individual preferences – but you could also describe this as people in business adjusting their behaviour so as not to violate moral norms which are held by others in their society, which is basically the social contract theory of ethics laid out by Thomas Hobbes. In this way, economics does hew to an ethical framework, even if that framework is understood primarily in terms of preference satisfaction. What is economics for? Is it descriptive or prescriptive? Within economics, approaches to the subject can be divided into two fields: positive economics and normative economics. Positive economics seeks to examine the economy in a given country, area, or international region, and to see that economy as it is. The aim is to collect data and form an accurate picture of the world. Eventually, with enough data, economists can make predictions about what effects an action such as raising interest rates could have on an economy. Positive economics seeks to understand the economy as it exists and to accurately predict what outcomes will arise from various forms of intervention. Hence it describes how the economy is, with no stance taken on how the economy should be. Normative economics, by contrast, looks at how the economy should be and what actions should be taken. It is the enacting of moral principles into economic actions, so for example, if one holds the principle that “All people should be compensated fairly for their labour” then one should support policies that advance that principle, such as instituting a minimum wage. This is where values come into play: should the economy be manipulated in such a way as to promote fairness, growth, equality, standard of living, life expectancy, or something else? A positive theory of economics can tell you how to achieve these aims, but in order to decide what aims to pursue, you need normative economics. A fuzzy line Many economists consider themselves data collectors and analysts rather than politicians or philosophers, so they would identify more with the framework of descriptive positive economics than that of prescriptive normative economics. However, this emphasis on data and objectivity has a tendency to lead people to believe that they are being objective when in fact their values are coming in to play. As any scientist or journalist can tell you, what questions you ask when searching for facts has as much bearing on the conclusion you eventually reach as the facts themselves. In studying positive economics, economists necessarily make judgements about what topics to examine, which forms a kind of normative approach about which issues are most important. In this way, the distinction between positive and normative economics is not as clear as you might think, and plenty of economists are working with prescriptive and therefore moral values even if they are not aware of it. And when values come into play, then ethics must necessarily follow. Ethics, economics, and psychology Finally, it is important to consider the role of psychology in both economics and ethics. With economic theories based primarily on the assumption of individual rationality, assuming that people will make the choices which will maximise their utility. However, evidence from psychology makes it abundantly clear that this assumption does not hold – from the innocent person who confesses to a crime under intense questioning, to the person who develops a destructive gambling habit, to the person who goes along with a social group even if they disagree (as most of us do from time to time), there are no shortage of examples of human behaviour where people do not act rationally and maximize their utility. So the assumption of rationality on behalf of economic subjects can in fact be seen as prescriptive. An economist does not, in fact, describe the world as it is, because they assume that individuals are making rational economic decisions, which is not always true. By basing their systems of understanding on the assumption of rationality, economists discuss how a rational actor “ought” to act. This provides another arena for discussing the role of ethics in economics: examining the choices that people ought to make based on their situation, finances, and psychological state as well as their individual preferences. Although at first blush, then, it may appear that ethics has little to do with economics, once you dig down into the details of the practice of economics it becomes clear that ethical concerns impact the subject in a number of ways. Even when economists are unaware of the fact, they are already operating within an ethical framework.
Can economics ever be ethical? This might sound like a strange question to an economist who focuses on collecting data, analysing it, and using that data to make predictions. What ethical considerations could be raised here? What do abstract theories of ethics have to do with cold, hard economic facts? Today we'll look at some of the ways that economics interacts with the topic of ethics.
4 Ways Economists Can Market Their Research Projects
If you're looking for an event to attend this year, check out our conference listings. That doesn’t mean you have to act like a sleazy used car salesman. All you really need is a bit of networking; identify some opportunities to make connections and be socially active in your community. Here are just a few ideas to get you started. Hold a seminar at a university Colleges and universities often host seminars, which make for one of the most ideal settings in which to present your research to an engaged audience. Seminar audiences tend to be genuinely interested in and enthusiastic about the subject matter being discussed, which means you’re much more likely to get a positive response—and for your research to gets some great word of mouth promotion. Remember to keep your audience and the ultimate purpose of the seminar in mind when developing your presentation. You’re not necessarily sharing every single piece of data you’ve gathered, only the information and conclusions that are most relevant to the point you’re making. This may go without saying, but you also need to make sure your presentation is interesting to watch and listen to - even if the subject matter is already something your audience wants to hear about. Simply reading from a piece of paper isn’t very engaging, no matter what it is you’re saying. Step things up and supply your audience members with supplementary visual aids and other materials that they can take home, organized inside of professionally printed presentation folders. If you’re unsure where to find the right packaging, Company Folders, Inc. comes strongly recommended for their extensive selection. This makes it easy to find a style that will stand out in a crowd - and make your presentation that much more distinctive. Speak at a conference You can present your research at a conference in much the same way you would a seminar. A conference can be academia-related, but many conferences are tailored more towards industry professionals, such as entrepreneurs or CFOs. This makes conferences particularly useful when the results of your research are relevant to people outside of the academic sphere. Economics-related conferences are also much more social occasions than many academic seminars, which makes them excellent opportunities for networking. After your presentation is over, spend some time mingling and answering questions from your audience members. Be sure to have business cards at the ready so that you can form some new contacts; you may also wish to encourage listeners to join a mailing list or contact you via phone with any additional questions. Create a blog Blogging is a great way to reach people who can’t necessarily meet with you in person. You don’t need to dump your entire body of research into a single post; take a look at your research, break it up into several different points, and write posts that illustrate those points with facts and supporting details. Remember that if you truly want to get involved in the “blogosphere,” you shouldn’t simply post blog posts and hope people come and find them on their own. Try to become active in the online economics community. Comment on other blog posts similar to your own and offer to exchange guest posts with bloggers you respect. On top of attracting more traffic, this shows the community that you’re interested in having a conversation, not simply self-promoting your own research. Obtain coverage in a publication Getting a newspaper, magazine, or other publication to cover your research in a story isn’t something you can just go out and do whenever you want - but there are things you can do to make the research more attractive and accessible to reporters. A good method to start with is creating a press release. This gives members of the media a general sense of your research project and the value it provides. If you’re working with a university, you may have access to a press officer who can help you out with this. Make sure you provide them with any interesting details or anecdotes related to your research, even things that might not make it into an academic paper. Personal details such as your state of mind while you were researching or your impetus for researching the subject in the first place can help give your story a more personal touch. Keep in mind that not every publication is equally reputable. If a reporter contacts you, make sure you do a good amount of research into the types of articles that they publish. It’s also a good idea to ask to see a preview of the piece before it is published, so that you can offer corrections to any factual errors. A research project is only useful when people know about it. In that sense, promoting your research is almost as important as the research itself. That said, if you don’t feel up to the task yourself, consider consulting with a publicist or media expert. If you're currently looking for a PhD, check out our list of open PhD positions.
It’s not uncommon for those in field of economics research to feel a little hesitant about the idea of “marketing” themselves. After all, you’re not really selling a product—you’re sharing valuable knowledge so that other people can benefit from it. But if you want others to take notice of that knowledge in the first place, you’ll need to take some steps towards promoting your work.
How to Find and Avoid Predatory Publishers
Predatory publishers have been known to be a problem in academia for some time, but this new investigation sheds light on just how many of these dubious companies exist and the extent to which they are promoting junk science and extracting money from unsuspecting researchers. Open access publishing – that is, a system whereby authors pay a fee to a journal to make their research publicly available for anyone to read, for free – has become more and more common in the last years. There are advantages to such an open access system for researchers, students and the public. However, there are also potential problems in the publication process which are magnified by open access. While there are many well-respected open access journals (like PLoS One, for example), some open access journals are damaging to authors and to the publishing system and should be avoided. Download the Conference Monkey Directory - 6 Month Conference List What are predatory publishers? Unfortunately, with the rise of open access publishing, there has also been a rise in exploitative low-quality journals which charge large fees to authors to publish their work but do not provide a rigorous review and publication process. Known as predatory publishers, these organisations accept almost any paper that is submitted to them, but do not provide adequate editorial oversight to ensure that the information presented is accurate and peer-reviewed. They also commonly hide the fact that they will be charging fees until after a paper is accepted, at which point the author is confronted with a large cost demand. Therefore, publications in these predatory journals are not respected, and authors can end up paying thousands of Euros for a worthless publication. Given the intense pressure on researchers to publish their work regularly for career advancement, it is important to be able to identify these predatory journals so that they cannot exploit newer early-career researchers or researchers from developing countries. How prevalent are predatory publishers? According to the Guardian investigation, more than 175,000 articles have been published by just five of the largest predatory publishers, including the well-known and poorly-regarded Omics and Waset publishers. Most of these articles have not been peer-reviewed or even properly edited, with no attempts made to authenticate the contents of the articles. In several cases, joke articles or computer-generated nonsense articles were accepted without review or revision. The problem with these non peer-reviewed scam journals is two-fold: firstly, researchers are being tricked out of thousands of dollars in publication fees which they think is securing them a publication in a legitimate journal only to find their publication is essentially worthless. Secondly, the practice threatens to de-legitimise science as a whole, by publishing junk claims in journals which appear on the surface to be on an equal footing with respected peer-reviewed journals. When readers cannot distinguish between high quality science which has been reviewed by experts and found to be accurate and meaningless junk which has not passed any sort of editing process, then faith in scientific publishing as a whole breaks down. How can you identify predatory publishers? You want to avoid predatory publishers at all costs. You definitely don't want to go through all the work of preparing and submitting a manuscript, just to find out that the publishers wants to charge a ridiculous fee to publish your work. There are some ways that you can spot a predatory publisher though: first, ignore any emails that you receive which are inviting you to submit work to a particular journal. Once you have published work in a reputable journal, your email address and research area will be public. Predatory publishers will comb the web for this information and use it to email you, inviting you to submit work to their journal. Often times, you will be invited to submit to journals which have little or nothing to do with your actual research. Also, it is very rare to be invited to submit work to a journal – especially if you are a junior researcher – and it if were to happen, you would receive a personal email from the editor of the journal, not a generic form email. If you receive emails inviting you to submit work to a journal, just delete them and move on. Don't waste your time taking these offers seriously. In order to avoid such publishers, researchers also need to be aware of typical tactics used. Any journals which solicit manuscripts by mass-mailing researchers should be avoided; reputable journals generally do not solicit authors to publish with them. If you receive an email inviting you to submit your work to a journal which you are not familiar with, it is extremely likely that it is from a predatory publisher. Other methods to check the reputability of a journal is to search for it online. Unprofessional websites with spelling and grammar errors are indicative of an untrustworthy journal. Also check the email addresses provided for the editors and board of the journal. These email addresses should be from academic institutions – if the email addresses are from Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo etc. then the journal is unlikely to be respectable. One can also check the physical address of the journal – in which city and country it is based. A final warning sign of a predatory publisher is an extremely rapid review and publication process. Submitting, reviewing, and revising a paper is a long process that typically takes somewhere between several months up to more than a year. If a journal promises to have your findings published within weeks, it is unlikely that this would be enough time for the paper to be reviewed correctly. The lack of proper peer-review process is the surest sign that a journal is not to be trusted. The Beall List One invaluable tool to avoid untrustworthy journals is the list of predatory open access publishers compiled by Jeffrey Beall, a librarian from the University of Colorado Denver. He identifies predatory publishers based on criteria such as a lack of transparency in publishing operations, an editorial board with an insufficient number of members, and an attempt to hide or obscure the fees which authors are expected to pay until after acceptance. He lists the full findings of his investigations on his website. While there is some debate over whether these criteria are the best way to identify predatory publishers, almost all researchers agree that Beall's list is an excellent resource to start from. When in doubt about a publisher, you can begin by checking whether it appears on Beall's list, and if it is, proceed with extreme caution. When in doubt about the reputation of a journal, it's best to contact other researchers in your field to gauge their knowledge. Don't be too quick to choose a journal for your work; and remember to research publishers thoroughly before committing. That way you can be sure you're not taken in by these disreputable publishers. (Editor's note: Beall's list has since been discontinued. It does, though, still exist in an archived form, and remains a useful resource) Download the Conference Monkey Directory - 6 Month Conference List
A recent investigation by British newspaper The Guardian and several German publishers has highlighted the vast number of “predatory publishers” who are operating in academia and are publishing fake science for profit. These publishers invite researchers to publish their work in a journal and then charge exorbitant fees.
An early step: the introduction of coinage In order to have a concept of economics, first, there must be a concept of money as an object in and of itself, with money existing independently of trading through barter. During the 6th century BC, precious metals were used in bars or bullion for trade, measured by weight. Most scholars agree that the Lyndians, a people from an area called Anatolia which is now Turkey, were the earliest to use coins. They first minted coins around 600 BC, although these early coins were of such high value that they would be used for saving and to pay for rare large expenditures rather than everyday expenses. As trade between peoples promoted the concept of the coin, it was adopted by the ancient Greeks and Romans, and from there the idea spread throughout Europe and beyond. The coin was easily transportable and became one of the earliest pieces of shared understanding between different cultures, allowing trade between unknown parties on a scale which had been impossible before. The beginning of modern economics: trade between nations The widespread adoption of coinage facilitated trade at an unprecedented level during the ancient Greek and Roman eras. Large-scale trade between nations arguably began with the empire of Alexander the Great in 300 BC, who ruled Macedonia and expanded his reach through Asia and Africa to create one of the largest empires in this period of history. This empire created a shared economic and cultural understanding between nations that were hundreds of miles away from each other. Following this period, the Greeks remained in Central Asia from 250 BC to 10CE, opening up a trade route between the East and West known as the Silk Road. Along this established route, people could trade goods more easily and smoothly than ever before, which allowed them access to new resources and ideas. The route was named for the precious silks that were exported from China to the Roman Empire in addition to jade, bird feathers, spices, tea, and what would have been new and exotic fruits and vegetables like carrots and pomegranates. In exchange, the Romans provided the Chinese with a great number of horses, as well as other items like gold, olive oil, and grapes. This long-standing trade relationship facilitated a cultural exchange between nations as well, marking the starting point of globalisation. A revolutionary change: the industrial revolution The next major development in the history of economics was the industrial revolution of the late 1700s to early 1800s. During this period, a transition was underway in the West to move away from hand production methods such as weaving or picking fruits by hand and towards automated production using machines to perform repetitive tasks. This changed occurred firstly and primarily in the area of textiles, but automation soon spread to other areas of production too and technological developments were used to increase the speed, efficiency, and accuracy of production. In economic terms, the industrial revolution allowed greater production for lower effort, which over time raised the standard of living so that more people could afford first more essential goods, then eventually more luxury goods. The economies of scale made these goods more affordable and for the first time mass-produced goods were available to the masses as well as to the elite. The GDP per capita began to grow rapidly for the first time, signalling the most significant change to daily lives since humans first began relying on agriculture to produce their food. However, the turn towards automation was not uniformly positive in its effects across the board. Economic historians have argued that the workers on the lowest rung of the social ladder actually saw a reduction in their living standards as they suffered from the harms of industrialisation like pollution and long working hours without seeing the benefits: in affordable goods and services. The twentieth century: population boom During the 20th century, the growth following the industrial revolution continued and the global population exploded from 1.65 billion people at the start of the century to 6 billion people by the end. This was due to factors like improving medicine and healthcare that lowered mortality rates, particularly lowering child mortality and the likelihood of mothers dying during birth, and the wider availability of resources and goods thanks to economic forces. The population began to urbanise, congregating in smaller and denser city areas than the traditional rural way of living, due to jobs being located primarily in cities. This urbanisation made it easier to share resources and provide services like clean running water, heating, electricity, and education, and made distributing foods and other goods more efficient. All of this allowed people to live for longer and to have more children, resulting in the population boom. In turn, this growing population provided a plentiful and cheap source of labour, allowing companies to produce more and to earn more. The two world wars in the twentieth century were economic drivers as well, obliging countries to increase their production of weapons and military goods and causing women to join the workforce in record high numbers. Over this century, GDP per capita grew by five times. This was particularly spurred by the development of shipping containers that were cheap to manufacture, standardised, and reusable. The standardisation of shipping containers made transporting goods in large quantities over the ocean cheaper and easier than ever before, pushing international trade to new heights. The modern era: crises and environmentalism At the turn of the twenty-first century, the Great Recession was a period of economic decline across the world. It was the most severe economic decline since the Great Depression of the 1930s, and was spurred on by a failure to regulate financial markets. Corporations and financial firms took on considerable risks and lent excessively to individuals who were unlikely to be able to pay the full amounts back, resulting in skyrocketing household debt and the bursting of a housing bubble. This period saw the global financial crisis of 2008 as well as the subprime mortgage crisis, both of which threw economics markets into disarray. Economics has not only been tied to crises in the twenty-first century, however. A growing awareness of climate change has spurred on a popular interest in environmentalism, to which economics has contributed. One of the most realistic and broadly popular proposals for combating climate change is the introduction at either a national or an international level of a carbon tax, in which a fee must be paid when carbon-based fuels (i.e. fossil fuels) are burned. This tax would reduce the use of fossil fuels over the long term by making them more expensive and therefore less appealing than using renewable sources of energy. Carbon taxes of various kinds have been implemented in the UK, Ireland, Australia, Chile, Sweden, and other nations and have been debated in many more. Conclusion In many ways, the history of economics is the history of society, showing how resources were valued, traded, and consolidated across periods of time. Despite its reputation for abstractness as a subject, economics has had a formative impact on life in our society for thousands of years, and will likely only become more relevant in a future of increased globalisation.
Although it is generally thought of mainly as a theoretical academic subject, economics has been a driving force in society for thousands of years. The exchange of money and the way that financial systems interact has lead to some of the most profound changes to the everyday lives of human beings across the planet. To illustrate how the practice of economics has changed the world, today we'll look at the role of economics in Western history from the 6th century BC era up to the present day.
Why study at University of Tampere, Finland?
Many undergraduate students praise the fact that their professors are approachable and the classes project-oriented. UTA also encourage students to branch out into other classes in order to experience a more balanced education. Through this practical learning environment, the university bolsters students for life after graduation, giving them the necessary experience and flexibility to hold down a job. Programs offered at University of Tampere As part of the Faculty of Management and Business, there are only a small number of economics programs on offer. For undergraduates, those who opt for business studies will study economics topics as part of that course, including core courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics and field courses in in public economics, labour and personnel economics, behavioural economics, monetary and financial economics, and regional economics. Masters students can opt for the master's degree in economics or the double degree program Public Economics and Public Finance. This double degree is taught jointly between the University of Tampere are other Europeans universities: the University of Rennes in France, University of Fribourg in Switzerland, the Università degli Studi del Piamonte Orientale ”Amedeo Avogadro” in Italy, and Masaryk University in the Czech Republic. ➲ Subscribe to find your ideal Master's program in Europe Doctoral students can study economics as part of a joint economics program offered by economics units across Finland, in a coruse called the Finnish Doctoral Programme in Economics. Research at The University of Tampere The research work in economics at University of Tampere is divided into two main topics: public economics, such as taxation, social services, and environmental policy; and labour economics, including the study of labour market policy and migration. Current major research projects are in work inequality and competition in healthcare. Other departments at the University of Tampere faculty also engage in interesting research, including alternative care, classical, medieval and early modern history, Russian and Chinese media and even theatre. But most fascinating is their policy of “open science,” meaning an open approach to scientific publications, the allocation of research data, and the research process. They believe this improves the quality of scientific knowledge, increases opportunities for new scientific knowledge to be implemented, encourages researchers around the globe to cooperate with each other, and expands the impact scientific findings have on us. Basically, they encourage globalization not only in the classroom, but even in their faculty’s scientific endeavours. Tuition fees and cost of living at the University of Tampere Universities in Finland are, incredibly enough, free to attend if you are an EU citizen or you already reside in Finland. This idea may be shocking to those from countries like the US where higher education is to expensive, but this comes from the Finnish ethos to education. Even for students who come from outside the EU, the University of Tampere is relatively affordable in terms of fees. Bachelor's and master's student will pay between €8,000 and €12,00 per year, and doctoral students pay no tuition fees at all. As for living costs, Tampere is not the cheapest place to live in Europe but the costs are manageable. In terms of accommodation, if you make use of student accommodations you are looking between €200 and €900 per month, depending on whether you opt for a shared room, a single room, a small apartment or a family apartment. Other costs are around €250 a month for food. Up to €80 per month for travel, and a few hundred Euros for personal spending depending on your interests. In total, you can expect to pay between €750 and €1000 per month in living costs. Student life in Tampere The city of Tampere was voted the most desirable place to live in Finland for the sixth consecutive year, even above the capital of Helsinki. So it’s no wonder thousands of students flock here for their higher education. 40,000 out of 220,000 of city inhabitants are students and the population is very diverse, with students coming from about 80 different countries. Undoubtedly the most beautiful aspect of Tampere has to be the nature. With the Tammerkoski channels gushing through the city, the 200 lakes around the outskirts, and the immense greenery, Tampere is the premier destination for a student who not only has their head in the books but their feet in the earth. Not only can you fish in and bike around the lakes, but you can also swim in ice—an eccentric past-time for local Finns. This is what is known as “avantouinti,” or more literally ‘dipping yourself in a frozen lake’. The health benefits are immense, and include anti-ageing, the lowering of blood pressure and improved blood circulation. It also helps to balance the emotions and hormones. Fortunately, due to Tampere’s prestige as the sauna capital of the world (with over 35 public saunas dispersed in and around the city), there are also plenty of places to heat yourself up. Besides the impressive nature Tampere has to offer, there many other activities for college students that have more to do with modern civilization. The Moomin Museum is dedicated to the books of Tove Jansson, a Finnish author, painter, and illustrator, and creator of the Moomin books. The series of books follow the family of Moomins. The protagonist is Moomintroll, who lives in a Moominhouse with his Moominpappa and Moominmamma, and who goes on different Moominadventures. Okay, I may have made that last word up. But if you’d like to Moomin through the Moominmuseum, even if you’re not already familiar with Moomining, now’s your chance to Moominlearn about Moominmoomins. If you’re into more conventional museums, however, you might find the Vapriiki Museum to be of interest. Not only does it house a dozen exhibitions every year, its also home to the Doll Museum, the Finnish Ice Hockey Museum, the Finnish Museum of Games, the Natural History Museum, the Postal Museum and more. There is also the opportunity to revisit your childhood at Särkänniemi, an amusement park that also contains an aquarium and planetarium. With six massive roller coasters and over a million visitors each month, it’s essentially the Disney Land of Finland and has been voted as the best amusement park in the country. Challenges for international students at University of Tampere The only downside students at the University of Tampere have complained about is the division between local and international students. International masters’ programs, for instance, are not offered to locals, and because of this students from abroad cannot become as involved in university life. However, a tutor is appointed to every incoming international student, but not just for academic guidance. They are also there to: ensure you are able to contact your faculty; support you with any student housing issues; and even help you open a bank account, if you so need. Another issue to consider is the weather. Tampere is located far north so the weather can be biting, and the daylight can be extremely limited, or excessive. The shortest day in Tampere is on December 22nd, and is only 5 hours and 20 minutes long. In contrast, the summer’s longest day is 19 hours and 30 minutes. If you already struggle with adhering to a regular sleep schedule, this may not be the place for you. ➲ Discover all study programs in Finland
Finland is known around the globe for its progressive higher education culture that aims to cultivate a humane and globally-minded ‘next generation’. This is emphasis is especially present in the University of Tampere (UTA). UTA prides itself on providing a friendly environment for students to connect with their professors and even the administration, even as undergraduates.<o:p></o:p>
This public research university was only recently founded, but came from the merging of two famous institutions, the former University of Lisbon and the Technical University of Lisbon, each with its own storied history. There has been some kind of university existing in Lisbon since the 13th century, so it is a city with a long academic pedigree. Economics at the University of Lisbon The university is divided into three colleges for research: the Food, Farming and Forestry College, Mind-Brain College, and the College of Chemistry. Each of the colleges individually contributes to advancing different areas necessary for our continued existence. The Farming and Forestry College, for instance, applies a holistic approach to its scientific advancements, and can be held accountable for producing public policy geared towards dealing with the issues of food and agroforestry on a national and international level. The Mind-Brain College aims to link the concept of mind and brain together. And the College of Chemistry is focused on finding the most economical approach for implementing the university’s human capabilities and materials in conjunction with learning. The university's Lisbon School of Economics and Management offers courses at the undergraduate, masters, and doctoral levels, in addition to other postgraduate courses and an MBA. Many of these courses are taught in English so they are ideal for foreign students, and there are also courses taught in Portuguese if you have a flair for languages. ➲ Subscribe to find your ideal Master's program in Europe Research specialities at the University of Lisbon Much of the research at the Lisbon School of Economics and Management has a focus on social good and international development. For example, there are currently projects at the school to investigate resilient farming systems to create sustainable food production in west and north Africa, as well as a scheme for the promotion of gender balance within research, and one for using citizen sceience to assess groundwater levels and encourage sustainable water management. PhD students are encouraged in the areas of the intersection of development studies and economics, as well as in the area of applied mathematics. The school specifically states that in terms of future employment, it aims to provide its PhD students with the skills to go into international careers in economics. ➲ Subscribe to find your ideal PhD program in Europe Tuition fees at the University of Lisbon The cost of tuition at the University of Lisbon is relatively low, especially compared to studying in the US. Tuition fees are generally in the region of around €1000 to €1200 per year, though some courses are more expensive and cost up to €3000 per year. The good news is that foreign students do not have to pay massively higher rates than Portuguese students, so the option of studying in Portugal is open to all. There are studentships and fellowships available to help cover the costs of studying, many of which are quite generous. For example, a grant for a student to study in Portugal can be up to €1,600 per month, which is enough to live on comfortably and have enough money to cover accommodation, fees, and going out to eat and drink and enjoy the city. Facilities at the University of Lisbon The University of Lisbon also provides many amenities for you to divulge in and improve your overall experience at the university. If you want to get fit, there are multiple indoor and outdoor gyms, a pool, sports courses and opportunities to involve yourself in championships. If you’re not into exercise, there are also incredible arts programs to partake in, in theatre, dance, and cinema. And if you are planning on living in Portugal after graduating, the university’s language program prepares you to converse fluently in Portuguese. The university also has four museums: the Alfredo Bensaúde Exhibition Museum, the Decius Tadeu Museum, the Medicine Museum, and the National Museum of Natural History and Science. Yes, you heard right: they are home to Portugal’s center for natural history, where the university has actually integrated the Astronomical Observatory of Lisbon and the Lisbon Botanical Garden. Living costs in Lisbon Lisbon has a thriving nightlife and restaurant scene, and the cost of luxuries like eating out or drinking is low. This makes it a great city for students who want to have fun but need to stick to a budget. Beer, for instance, is only 2 euros in most of the city's numerous bars, and at many restaurants you can eat exceptionally well for around 10 to 20 euros per person. The down side is that accommodation can be expensive, especially if you want to live in a trendy or busy area. A one bedroom apartment on the outskirts of the city costs around €650 per month, while a one bedroom apartment in the heart of the city can run up to €900 per month. Of course, if this is too expensive for you then there are also other options like sharing a flat with other students, which can drop rent down to around €400 per month. The university also has 19 residences for students, most commonly used by undergraduates. Foreign students who wish to study in university accommodation must apply via the International Relations office of their school once they have been accepted to their course of study. Cultural experiences in Lisbon Lisbon is a favourite holiday destination for tourists from across Europe and beyond, due to its sunny weather, excellent food, and charming culture. Temperatures average around 30 degrees in the summer, and even in the depths of winter the city remains warm and comfortable. The city has charming features such as Tram 28 — a 1930s tram that winds through all the nooks and crannies of the city. In the age of modern trams it continues to navigate the hills and other difficult parts of this ancient city. From this route you can admire the beauty not only of the local area but also the unique landscape the city is planted in—including the seven hills that form a circle around the centre. Other local highlights include the Jerónimos Monastery and the Tower of Belém. Together, these form a world heritage UNESCO site. The Jerónimos Monastery provides incomparable views—you’ll feel as if you’re fairytale. And the Tower of Belém incites an equally inspiring feeling you could only experience gazing upon a beautifully-crafted hunk of stone plopped on the seashore. Finally, the city sits right on the Atlantic ocean, so sea lovers will be delighted. Swimming in the ocean is not for the faint of heart as even in the country's warm weather it can be punishingly cold. However, there are beaches nearby to the city including the famous white sand Carcavelos beach where you can lounge on the sand and soak up the sun. The rest of Portugal is also easy to explore by train, with highlights including the beautiful city of Porto where port wine is made, which is well worth a visit for a journey which takes less than 3 hours by train. ➲ Discover all study programs in Portugal
In the heart of sunny Portugal, the city of Lisbon is famed for its food, its architecture, and its history. But it also hosts some exceptional academic institutions, including the University of Lisbon, also known as ULisboa. With a population of 50,000 students (1,000 being international) and 4,000 lecturers, the university is nearly a city in itself. <o:p></o:p>
Browse all of our Bachelor's Programs here History of the theories Marxian economics is, as the name suggests, a school of thought based on the work of Karl Marx. During the 1800s Marx wrote extensively in the area of political philosophy looking at labour and the economy, and particularly focused on the power dynamics between workers and the ruling class. This work was a reaction against the classical view of economics developed by theorists such as Adam Smith, an early pro-free market theorist who believed the invisible hand of the market would benefit society. The Marxian approach to economics rejects this framework and instead considers the construction of value within a capitalist society. Marx was especially concerned with the rights of workers, who create value through their labour but do not gain the full rewards from this value. Instead, labour is exploited by members of the ruling class for their own interest. Unlike Smith, who believed in a laissez-faire approach to economics and argued that the market would eventually correct any unjust imbalances, Marx argued that capitalist society is specifically structured in order to extract value from the working class by means of labour for the benefit of the ruling class, and that this exploitation is not a bug that will eventually be worked out but an essential feature of capitalism. By contrast, neoclassical economics emphasises individual rationality and the maximisation of profit and is one of the primary models of economics used by those in the field today. The approach was developed throughout the 1800s but was not named until 1900, when Thorstein Veblen wrote an article discussing various schools of economics. The essential principle of neoclassical economics is that every individual will attempt to maximise their personal satisfaction through the means that are available to them – in a capitalist society, that will be primarily through the gaining and spending of money – and that individuals will make informed judgements about economic decisions which can be understood rationally. This individualised approach to economics was new and coincided with the emergence of both psychology and sociology, which suggested that individual behaviour could be understood as rational and that it was informed by the particular needs and desires of the person in question. Individual differences were being studied for the first time in Western post-Enlightenment culture, paving the way for a theory of economics which used concepts of rationality and individual preferences. <11an>limit:2;categories:jobs|courses|conferences|Professor;disciplines:Politics|Economic Systems (JEL P)|Economic History (JEL N)|Economic Thought & Methodology (JEL B)</11an> Key players in the fields The most prominent figure in the history of Marxian economics is Karl Marx, obviously enough. His contemporary, the philosopher Friedrich Engels, was also a formative influence on the economic critiques of capitalism, contributing to Marx's books. Another key figure from just before their time is Georg Hegel, a philosopher whose method of dialectics was used by Marx to understand the relation of society and individuals. However, Marxian economics is not merely a historical field. Modern-day thinkers still make use of Marxist insights to understand economics. This approach tends to create some confusion, as the public tends to assume that anyone discussing Marxian economics is themselves a Marxist, and that Marxism is synonymous with communism – and a totalitarian communism at that. In fact, Marxian economics is a tool used by many economists who may or may not consider themselves politically Marxist as a way to understand economics under capitalism. An important related school of thought was the neo-Marxian economists who came to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s, particularly those writing in the journal Monthly Review, who used techniques of neoclassical economics such as game theory and mathematical modelling to examine Marxist concepts of exploitation or conflict between classes. Neoclassical economics developed from the classical economics of the 18th and 19th centuries, including the work of Smith, which underwent a period known as the marginal revolution. Around the late 1800s, economic theorists began to examine concepts of utility and marginalism, referring respectively to the measuring of worth or value on an individual basis and the discrepancy between the values of the same goods or service to different individuals. This approach was influenced by philosophy also, and in particular by Jeremy Bentham's concept of utilitarianism which sought to maximise the happiness of as many people as possible. The ideas of what created happiness for any particular person – which came to be described in the concept of utility – was important for both ethical and economic theories. After this initial period of development of neoclassical thought, the school was refined in the 1930s by two key figures, Joan Robinson and Edward H. Chamberlin, who introduced the concept of imperfect competition. This describes certain situations in which the free market is not optimised, for example due to one company holding a monopoly. Further refinements to the school were made through the 1970s with the development of econometrics, a field which applied statistical models to economics, which was used to measure the changes in the price of goods and services. This lead to the formation of the field of macroeconomics, which studied economic systems as a whole. Eventually, neoclassical microeconomics and Keynesian macroeconomics were brought together to form the dominant paradigm in economics today. Key differences in outlook Marxian economics is to some extent based more in politics than in economics, in that it is a critique of our capitalist political system as well as our economic system. It has an emphasis on ethics and human rights, with concerns of fairness, justice, and equality. This has lead to a situation in which critics of Marxian economics, such as Ladislaus von Bortkiewicz, often focus on the problems with Marx's labour theory of value and argue that his theories are internally inconsistent – which is widely accepted by both sides as an accurate criticism. Pro-Marxist writers, however, respond that the details of the theories are not important – it is the moral imperative to correct power imbalances in society which is the real point of the approach. In this way, Marxist approaches generally are more based in ethics than in economics. However, even today the concept of power differentials between the individual and societal forces are used in understanding issues such how individuals interact with credit markets when constrained by their financial situations. Marx's work can be seen as an early precursor to microeconomics, with his theories anticipating questions that would later be answered through mathematics. Neoclassical economics, on the other hand, is more based in the principals of mathematics and is the major influence on the field we traditionally think of as economics. With the rise of econometrics, modern economic theories seek to explain the choices of individuals and the way that these choices affect and are affected by society more broadly. There is, therefore, less concern with moral questions of “ought”, and more focus on a descriptive understanding of “is”. However, the framework of an individual as a rational actor who makes choices to maximise their utility is in tension with the modern understanding of psychology, in which individuals frequently do not act purely rationally but are strongly swayed in their actions by the norms around them. A critique of the neoclassical approach is therefore that despite its claims to objectivity through mathematical analysis, it is in fact just as much of a theoretical tool as Marxian economics. In conclusion Despite their many differences, both Marxian and neoclassical economics are powerful theoretical tools for understanding the ways in which individuals interact with each other, power structures in society, and financial systems. While neoclassical economics is undoubtedly the major theoretical force in the study of economics today, there are still important insights from Marxian economics which can be used to explain various phenomena that are observed in society.
Economics is a broad and always developing subject, and there have been many schools of economic thought over the years. Today we'll be looking at two prominent schools that are relevant for modern economists, Marxian and neoclassical economics, to see how they differ and why they both continue to be of interest despite their many differences.
University of Groningen, Netherlands - Why You Should Study Abroad Here?
With just under 60,000 students at the university and a population of around 200,000, the city is very much a student town with approximately a quarter of the population currently studying. If you're considering the University of Groningen for your studies, here are some of the key facts to know about the university and the city. Economics programs at the University of Groningen The Faculty of Economics and Business at the University of Groningen offers a variety of courses at the bachelor and master levels, as well as having a PhD program. The bachelor's courses include BScs in International Business, Econometrics and Operations Research, and Economics and Business Economics, all of which are taught in English. There is also a course in Business Administration which is taught in Dutch. For master's students, there are a wide variety of programs with different sub-specialities, including MScs in Accountancy and Controlling; Business Administration; Econometrics, Operations Research and Actuarial Studies; Economics; Economic Development and Globalization; Finance; Human Resource Management; International Business and Management; International Financial Management; Marketing; Social Science and Humanities Education; Supply Chain Management; and Technology and Operations Management. ➲ Subscribe to find your ideal Master's program in Europe The PhD program is aimed at students who want to perform research into areas like economics, econometrics, finance, global economics, management, organizational behavior, marketing, and operations management. ➲ Subscribe to find your ideal PhD program in Europe Economics research specialties at University of Groningen Research in economics at the University of Groningen is performed largely as part of the SOM Research Institute, the research arm of the Faculty of Economics and Business. This includes the SOM Applied Research center plus twelve Centres of Expertise, including those for International Banking, Energy Economics, Customer Insights, Operational Excellence, and more. So there are broad areas researched here, but particular focus is placed onto research in international topics, econometrics, social science topics as applied to business such as customer psychology, and management. The faculty also has what it describes as “signature areas” of research, including: The Dynamics of Global Development and Inequality Connecting Innovation and Creativity Digital Business Models Individual Health & The Economic Environment Board Effectiveness Collective Resilience Markets and Sustainability Tuition fees at University of Groningen Like many universities in the Netherlands, tuition fees at the University of Groningen are much more affordable than they are in comparable universities in the U.S. However, fees are much higher for non-EU students, as is typical in Europe, and not all students are eligible for these lower and more affordable fees. A bachelor's student from the EU can expect to pay a little over €2,100 per year, while a non-EU student will pay around €15,000 per year. For master's students, EU students will pay between €2,100 to €15,000 for a full-time one-year course, or between €1,500 and €8,000 per year for a part-time two-year course. This large range is due to whether or not you quality for what are called “university tuition fees” or whether you must pay at a higher level comparable to international student fees. Non-EU master's students will have to pay around €15,000 per year to study full-time. Part-time fees for international master's students have not yet been set for the upcoming year, but previous years have been around €7,850 per year. Educational approach at the University of Groningen The University of Groningen has a distinctive approach to research, with a strong prioritization of research that is most pertinent to humankind right now. Its three main areas of focus are: healthy ageing, energy production, and building a sustainable society. The university has twenty-four areas of research within these topics, including Elucidating Malignant Transformation, Human Wellbeing and Biomedical Materials, and Long-Term Perspectives On Human-Environment Relations. One recent focus has also been on the impact of earthquakes and possible methods to fortify buildings against them. As Groningen is located near an immense gas field (the largest in Europe), the city often faces earthquakes of dire magnitudes – a risk that should be taken into account by anyone considering attending the university. However, with all the research being conducted on the matter, it appears the city is progressing towards an increasingly safe future. Cost of living in Groningen Groningen is a relatively affordable city, especially in terms of accommodation. If you want to live on your own in a one bedroom flat in the city center, you can expect to pay around €750 per month, or around €600 per month if you don't mind living a bit further out. Another option is to share with flatmates, for which you can expect to pay around €450 per month for a bedroom in a shared flat in the center or down to around €300 for a room in a shared flat further out. Eating out is affordable too, with €15 enough to buy you a meal in a restaurant and a beer in a bar costing around €4. The city is famous for its waffles and has a typical European cafe culture so there are plenty of places to try these delicious local snacks. Student life in Groningen Groningen is very much a student town, with the university forming a large part of life there and a very heavily student-based population. Constantly ranked one of the happiest cities in Europe (with 53 percent of the population reporting they are happy to live here), Groningen offers more than you can imagine. Looming Gothic cathedrals paired with modern shopping centers make it a city that will appeal to anyone drawn to either the old or the new. The city is clean and attractive, with good air quality which is helped along by the large number of people who ride bicycles rather than taking the car. The available healthcare is also excellent, so it's a good location to live for those who want to feel healthy and happy. As one of the major cities of the Northern Netherlands, it is incredibly diverse and naturally there are tons of students. Bars are actually allowed to be open around the clock, 24 hours a day, so there's a lively party scene. The nightlife is not bad either, with one of the city's most famous establishments being a club called Vera - a venue that has seen iconic bands like Nirvana and U2 grace its stage. On the festival front, the Eurosonic Festival is worth noting. Taking place annually, this festival aims to help emerging artists break into the international music scene, as well as getting more attention for European music, shining a light on the diversity it brings to the music community. The Eurosonic Festival is an inspiring event packed with possibilities for aspiring musicians. One of the most alluring aspects of the city has to be its architecture. If you enjoy theatrical productions, Stadsschouwburg is your destination to go. A beautiful theater dating back 133 years, the Stadsschouwburg provides numerous different productions from more avant-garde plays and cabaret performances, to household titles. ➲ Discover all study programs in the Netherlands
Groningen is a beautiful, scenic city in the north of the Netherlands which has hosted the University of Groningen since 1614, making it the second oldest Dutch university. The university is known for having astronauts, prominent world bankers, and Nobel laureates among its alumni.
Giada Carrara on Studying at Rotterdam Business School, Netherlands
Name: Giada Carrara my friends sometimes call me “Giadin” or “Giadina” that means little cute Giada. :) Age: 19 years old. My birthday is on the 14th June. Where I’m from: I am from Italy but for the last two years I’ve been living in Winnipeg, Canada. What I study: International Business and Management. Which university I attend: Rotterdam Business School (RBS) Instagram page: @giadacarrara 1. Why did you choose to study International Business and Management? Initially after high school I wanted to pursue my studies in medicine, so I did an entrance exam in Italy since universities of medicine only have a specific number of places for students. I got reject by just 4 points, and after the rejection I felt like no other university was going to be right for me. I was very demotivated so I took a gap year to figure out what to do with my academic life. After thinking about it (and after many a sleepless night) and going to open days I discovered RBS. I have always been interested in marketing and international business; the strategies behind businesses fascinate me, hence why I choose international business and management. I also wanted to work in an international environment and this degree is going to prepare me to do so. It will allow me to get a job which will involve travelling to different countries to do business with them. 2. What difficulties have you encountered during the college application process? One of the main difficulties I’ve encountered in the application part of the process was when I had to send my documents to the university so that they could verify them. In my opinion, the school was not ready to receive so many documents so they had many problems respecting the deadlines that they gave us. I was supposed to get an email saying they’d checked all the documents and I’d be admitted in April but they took until June to get back to me. I was really nervous during those months and I thought they were taking so long because I’d not been given a place. Another thing that really bothered me during the application process was that every time I sent emails to their admission department they at least 10 working days to reply to me. The process was really slow. Calling them was also useless since the line was so busy that they couldn’t even help me – unless I wanted to be on hold for two hours. 3. Why did you choose Rotterdam Business School (RBS) as your destination? Starting from the fact that I already knew Rotterdam, the city where my university is, I choose RBS since in the Netherlands you can receive a high quality education for a competitive price. Moreover, they offer a lot of English language programs. Those were the main reasons I chose Rotterdam: to pursue my studies in English and to live in a multicultural city like Rotterdam. Furthermore I wanted to experience ‘city life’, since in Italy I lived in a really small town with a population of just 1,000. ➲ Learn more on why to study at the Rotterdam Business School in the Netherlands 4. Which types of accommodation are available for the students at your university? Is it difficult to find a place to live? Finding accommodation in Rotterdam is literally hell. This city has more students than accommodation in many cases students struggle to find a room. The accommodation is also overpriced and often very small. I once I arranged a viewing for a flat and the room was 7 meters squared! The university usually offer rooms in university accommodation but they are usually given to non-European students first. Luckily I found a room but after 3 months living here I am already looking for something different. This room is located in a family apartment so it gets very noisy and it makes it really hard for me to concentrate and study. A little advice to all the students who are thinking to come here in Rotterdam: start to look for accommodation as soon as you can! 5. What do you like the most about RBS? I like the fact that in my university we have a combination of practice and theory. This combination helps me remember what I need to academically as well as instilling passion in what I am doing. Another advantage of my university is that it offers elective subjects that you can take, many electives are languages but for example, I took Neuro Linguistic Programming and it think it is cool that you can choose by your own extra subjects that can be added to your curriculum. 6. Describe the vibe of Rotterdam. I personally feel that Rotterdam is the perfect student city; it has so much to offer, from restaurants to bars to – and these are my favourite – cafes. In Rotterdam there are countless little cafés where you can grab a nice cup of coffee and get some work done. That’s what I usually do since I can’t study at home due to the noise of the family living downstairs. There are also many libraries around the city and a big one on the Erasmus campus. The transportation is really good; we have trains, trams, buses, and metros that can take you everywhere in the city. Rotterdam is a modern city; the architecture is new and innovative. In addition, the locals say that Rotterdam is a work city and it integrates people from all over the world. This means it’s easy for us foreigner to get around just knowing how to speak English. Another good thing about this city is that finding a job is possible also if you do not speak Dutch. For example, I work at Hollister and Co. and I just speak English. [Editor’s note: The INOMICS Team always recommends learning at least a bit of the language of the country in which you’re studying!] 7. What do you usually do to have fun in your student city? There are many activities for students. There are parties around the city almost every day! Since I am not really a party girl, I usually only go once a month to these events. Generally I just hang out with my friends in bars or cinemas. There are many cozy and cool places close to the city center that are perfect to spend the night with friends at. 8. Describe the commute to school. Do you have to commute far to go to school? Here in the Netherlands everyone owns a bike, including me. I usually use my bike to get to school and it takes me 15 minutes. If it rains or it is really cold I take the tram and the metro to get to school. 9. Tell us the most memorable experience you have in your college life. Giada and Friends in Rotterdam, Netherlands At the beginning of the school year my university always has an introduction week for international students. This year on the last day we had a boat party. It was very memorable. I had so much fun with my new friends, and it was my first boast party ever. In Italy we don’t have these kinds of party and for me it was so cool to be able to see the city while we were partying. After the party my friends and I went back to one of my friend’s houses and we had a chat about our lives and got to know each other better. I think this is the most memorable experience I’ve had in Rotterdam since it was the start of my new life here in Rotterdam and I met people I’m still good friends with now. 10. What do you think your university can improve? For sure they can improve on their organization. There are so many problems arising from poor organization and scheduling. Many things are not clear even to professors and that makes it feel like a joke to us students. Clearly, they need to make some changes to make the all experience better for us. 11. On a scale of 1 to 10, how likely is it you would recommend RBS to INOMICS users? I think I would give to my university a 7, but this is of course very subjective. This grade is based just on my own personal experience. 12. Anything you want to say to future students? If anyone of them is coming to the Netherlands for university, please look for accommodation as soon as you can, and maybe spend some extra money if you can afford it to get a good and quiet place. That will influence your studies and your mood a lot. Also, make international friends but also local friends! They will help you out when you will need them and they will be always available to help you with the language. Thanks, Giada. See you next time! *This interview has been edited for clarity. ➲ Discover all study programs in the Netherlands
Almost became a med student in Italy, Giada Carrara has decided to take a gap year and chosen a completely different path at Rotterdam Business School, Netherlands. How so? Let's find out!
Aristotle University Thessaloniki, Greece. Why You Should Study Here?
Famous alumni include a former Republican U.S. Senator, Peter Fitzgerald, who attended the university in the 1980s and was succeeded by none other than Barack Obama. It is also home to 65,000 undergrads and 8,000 postgrads, over half of which are in a doctoral program. Not to mention, there are over 2,000 faculty members. Programs available at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Offering 41 programs in different departments, the university provides a learning environment tailored for everyone. Although classes are conducted primarily in Greek, there are programs offered in English, German, French, and Italian, contributing to an immense international environment in the midst of a lesser-frequented Greek city. Within the school of economics, part of the faculty of law, economics and political science, you'll find both undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including programs in economic, political sciences, communications, and journalism. Each school offers its own undergraduate and postgraduate program so there is a lot of variation across the different schools and a wide range of programs available. The undergraduate program in economics begins with a cycle of four semesters, taken over two years, which covers foundational knowledge in economics and management and which you will take along with other students in the department. In the second cycle of four semesters, students specialise into one of three divisions: Planning and Development, Economic Theory and Policy, and Business Administration. Masters programs on offer include a Masters in Economics, a Master in Business Administration (MBA) which is taught in English, and a Master in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, also taught in English. There are also options to study a masters program taught in concert between the economics school and other schools at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, such as Informatics and Management which is taught with the school of informatics, and Complex Systems and Networks which is taught in collaboration with the school of mathematics. ➲ Subscribe to find your ideal Master's program in Europe Research specialities at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki There are four “laboratories” within the school of economics which specialize in particular research areas. There is the Laboratory of Applied Economics and Development, the Laboratory of Economic Theory and Economic Policy, the Business Lab, and the Laboratory for Applications of Informatics to Economic Sciences. So the specialities of the school in terms of research areas include theory and policy, international development, and informatics. There are also people studying PhDs in fields like logistics and supply chains, political economy, health care management, service management, and accounting and auditing. ➲ Subscribe to find your ideal PhD program in Europe Costs of studying and tuition fees at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki An appealing aspect of studying at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki if the affordable nature of the tuition fees. A year of tuition for an undergraduate program at the Aristotle University is less than one thousand euros a year, making it a fraction of the cost of attending a private university in the U.S. These low fees are applicable even to foreign students as well as those from Greece, and the masters programs are similarly affordable, with many costing as little as €1,000 per year. The university has a mission statement of offering equal opportunities for all in the fields of communication, learning, and research. It envisions an improved civilization that offers equal rights for everyone in order to gain the prosperity they deserve. Costs of living in Thessaloniki The cost of living at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is also very low, and you can get by on as little as $394 to $779 a month. Accommodation costs are very affordable, with a one bedroom apartment in the center of the city costing less than €400 per month, or less than €300 per month if you don't mind living a little further out. You can save even more money by renting a shared apartment, where you could expect to pay less than €200 per month. Eating and drinking out is not so cheap, being a more typical €12 for a cheap meal or €4 for a beer, but with all the money you save on accommodation that shouldn't be a problem. Greek culture and history at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Greece is a country seeped in history, and that applies to the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki too. The department of History and Archaeology continuously carries out archaeological excavation projects, and their findings have contributed a considerable amount to how archaeological investigations are conducted and equipped many students from under and post-graduate programs with the necessary abilities to continue on their own. It also houses an impressive sixteen museums, including the Folklore Museum, the Greek Manuscript Collection, the Geology-Paleontology Museum, the Archive of Theatre History, and the Museum of Criminology. Student life in the city of Thessaloniki Thessaloniki is a historic, quirky city located right on the water, so there are beautiful sea views all around. Although most people would peruse the White Tower or gaze at the ships on the Promenade, there are plenty of hidden gems to discover in the city. Who would have thought, for instance, that trains could also be laid to rest after their useful life is over? In Thessaloniki’s train cemetery, however, this is precisely the case. Hundreds of cars can be explored just outside the city, many with unconfirmable lore attached to them. If you’re a person with imagination, or you really want to contemplate all the wisdom you’re sure to gain at Aristotle’s one and only university, it wouldn’t hurt to peruse the cemetery one day. However, if visiting an actual cemetery is more your style, you can wander over to Bogomils Graveyard and learn about the history of heretical Gnostics. A sect of people who believed in duality between God and the Devil, they performed rituals constituting dancing and fasting and did not build temples as they just revered their own bodies. Due to their unconventional beliefs, even the crosses marking their graves are a bit kooky-looking. If for some reason you’re not into going to places of death, there is a more conventional option: the Castle of Rentina. Built in the 300s B.C., this castle shows the complexity of multi-nationality in an area conquered by multiple empires. Occupied first by the Serbs in 1345, it was acquired by the Greeks in 1371, the Turks in 1383, the Greeks again (back at it for round two) in 1402, and finally the Ottomans in 1423. Heptapyrgion Fortress also provides for an interesting experience. A former fortress for the military guard of the city, it was constructed not long after the founding of Thessaloniki in the 3rd century B.C. Besides its fascinating history, the monument is breathtaking. Finally, if you need a break from the viewing the impressive testaments to ancient Greece, you can unwind in the Pasha Gardens, a mystical place rumored to have previously been frequented by Ottoman freemasons and Sephardic Jews. Initially created in 1904, many of its monuments were damaged not long after by migrants who needed the materials to build homes. However, they are all still intact, and their decrepit nature adds to the otherworldly feeling of the place. ➲ Discover all study programs in Greece
Aristotle may not be around any more, but his disciples continue their critical studies at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. A mere 55 kilometers away from Aristotle’s birthplace in Stageira, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki can be considered a living, breathing monument to one of the most formidable philosophers of all time. It’s also the most sizable university in Greece, boasting 230,000 square meters in center Thessaloniki alone.<o:p></o:p>
Tommaso Mondovi on Studying at HAN University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands
Name: Tommaso Mondovì Age: 20 years old Nationality: Italy Study Program/Major: International Business and Management Studies Instagram page: @tomassomondovi Youtube channel: tomassomondovi 1. Why did you choose to study International Business and Management? After high school, I was really confused about my college path and I wanted to major in so many different fields completely unrelated with each other, ranging from International Relations, to Mathematics, to Managerial Engineering and Psychology. Since it was rather difficult figuring out a faculty which would have suited me the most, I decided to look for something that put together all of these different subjects. International Business and Management Studies is the faculty that best puts together all of these different interests of mine. Mathematics is surely involved when thinking of subjects such as logistics and finance. Psychology comes into place while studying marketing and consumer behavior, and International Relations pops up in every international related aspect of my studies. Furthermore, this faculty allows me to pursue my final goal in life of becoming a manager in an international setting and additionally it gives me the opportunity to range over many different potential master programs and professional careers. ➲ Subscribe to find your ideal Master's program in Europe 2. What difficulties have you encountered during the college application process? I encountered many difficulties while applying to a University in Germany for the conversion of my High School Diploma. In Italy, our diplomas are given to us six months after we graduate from high school, and before then there is only the possibility to request a certificate which shows your final grade and the subjects you have taken in your final exam. However, some universities trust the fact that they will receive the actual diploma in December of the first year, whereas other ones simply do not let you apply. In Germany, I definitely struggled with this aspect, however in my current university in the Netherlands I did not face any major challenge. The application process was quite easy and it was done through a platform called Studielink, where everything was very clear and straightforward. Moreover, I happened to already have all of the certificates required from my university, hence I did not need to take any last-minute exams. 3. Why did you choose the HAN University of Applied Sciences as your destination? After not being able to successfully complete my application process at the Leuphana University in Germany, I looked at other universities around Europe which offered the same course of International Business and Management. The HAN University not only offered the exact course I was looking for taught entirely in English, but it also offered great experiences such as a mandatory study-abroad program in the third year and a placement abroad for an internship also in the third year. Also, the HAN University is located in the Netherlands, a country I have always loved for its beautiful cities and the open-mindedness of the majority of its inhabitants. Moreover, I was really willing to study in an international environment, and almost 50% of the students studying at Arnhem Business School (a branch from the HAN University) comes from outside the Netherlands. 4. Which types of accommodation are available for the students at your university? Is it difficult to find a place to live? The HAN University offers accommodation in its brand-new facilities to every student coming from outside the European Union. Other students coming from the EU can still apply for housing through the University, however they are not guaranteed a place there. A recommendation I could give concerning this aspect would be to apply as early as possible to increase the chances of having a spot in the buildings from the HAN. Students can though still find a place by themselves in shared apartments or in studios. In Arnhem, which is a medium-sized city and not oversaturated with students, finding your own place is not extremely challenging. 5. What do you like the most about HAN University of Applied Sciences? I really like the facilities at my universities and the opportunities which it offers. Everything at the HAN looks completely new and modern and it allows students to participate in several different activities. For example, it offers the possibility to work on campus or to represent the school during the open days. It also offers the opportunity to create your own club and to participate in other people’s clubs. ➲ Learn more why to study at the HAN University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands 6. Describe the vibe of Arnhem, Netherlands. Arnhem is a very nice city located near the German border close to the Dutch city Nijmegen and to the German city Düsseldorf. It has a relatively small center which is very cute, especially during winter time when it’s decorated with beautiful lights, and during spring, when there are a plethora of people sitting outside of nice cafes enjoying the sunnier weather. Although it is not overpopulated with students, there are still three Hogeschools here, so there are many different things to do for students. Also, at night, especially on Thursdays, it is very lively. 7. How tolerant is Arnhem and the Netherlands in general regarding age, race, and gender? My city is surely very tolerant concerning age, race and gender. It is a rather common characteristic of the Dutch mentality to be extremely open-minded and to not create distinctions among people. Nevertheless, these aspects also do vary from person to person, but the overall mentality is very positive. 8. What do you usually do to have fun in your student city? There are many fun activities in Arnhem for students. Some of my favorites are: spending entire afternoons at the Sonsbeek park, a beautiful park located in the city center of Arnhem; going to the movie theater here, which is one of the biggest in this area of the Netherlands; going out for a coffee or for a drink in the extremely nice cafes around the city; practicing sports thanks to my Student Sport Card, which only costs 17€ a month and it gives students access to almost every gym and swimming pool around Arnhem; going out at night to dance or to grab a couple of drinks. 9. Describe the commute to school. Do you have to commute a lot to go to school? I have always loved walking to school. I walk to school since I was six years old, and even now I have the possibility to walk to university. My current apartment is located only a few hundred meters away from the HAN and it only takes me around 15 minutes of a beautiful walk across the park to arrive there. 10. Tell us the most memorable experience you have in your college life. Last June, at the end of the academic year, a student association within my university organized a formal boat gala. That was definitely the greatest experience of my college life so far because it allowed me to see everyone again before I left for the summer break and to close the academic year on such a positive note. Also, the gala took place on a boat, which made it extremely exciting because we were all dancing outside, watching a beautiful sunset from a boat moving along the Rijn. 11. What do you think your university can improve? Actually, there is not much that I think my University should improve. The only aspects I can think of concern schedules and prices. Prices at the canteen or at the school shop are quite unaffordable for students who live on a budget. Additionally, schedules and timetables here at the HAN are confusing and inconsistent. The timetables change every single week, which makes it harder to organize activities on the side or work. 12. On a scale of 1 to 10, how likely is it you would recommend the HAN University to Ruby's followers? 8. 13. Anything you want to say to future students? Choosing the right university is an incredibly big decision which can lead to a lot of stress. My recommendation is not to stress out too much about it, do your research and fill in your application during a long period of time and just enjoy the process! Thanks, Tommaso. See you next time! ➲ Discover all study programs in the Netherlands
Because what's better than a real insider's perspective? Let's experience the vibe of Arnhem Business School, HAN University of Applied Sciences through the eyes of their current student, Tommaso Mondovì. Are you ready?
1. Academy of Management Journal Published by Academy of Management. For the publication of empirical work in the field of management, with particular focus on findings which contribute directly to the practice of management. AMJ includes empirical methods including qualitative, field, laboratory, quantitative, meta-analytic and mixed-method. The journal is published six times a year in February, April, June, August, October, and December. 2. Academy of Management Review Published by Academy of Management. For the publication of theoretical insights and developments, covering the conceptual aspects of management practice and with a particular focus on challenging the conventional wisdom of the field. All its articles 'extend theory in ways that develop testable knowledge-based claims' and are generally grounded are economics, psychology, sociology, or social psychology. AMR is published quarterly in January, April, July, and October. 3. Journal of International Business Studies Published by Springer. An interdisciplinary journal which covers the strategies of multinational enterprises and their interactions with other organisations and institutions. The journal is the official publication of the Academy of International Business and 'provides accessible, thought-provoking content for the general academic business community'. The Journal of International Business Studies is published nine times per year. 4. Journal of Management Published by Sage. Accepting both empirical and theoretical research articles, this journal covers all topics in the field of management, including business strategy and policy, organisational behaviour, human resource management, and organisational theory. It aims to publish pieces that have a high impact on the field of management in general, and is itself published eight times a year. Two Review Issues are also published in January and July which include the most widely read and cited articles. 5. Journal of Business Ethics Published by Springer. With a focus on ethical issues that are related to business, such as the moral aspects of systems of production, consumption, marketing, advertising, or social and economic accounting. Encourages a jargon-free style to promote dialogues between different fields. It's website states 'from its inception the journal has aimed to improve the human condition by providing a public forum for discussion and debate about ethical issues related to business.' Being less full of jargon (though not necessarily less academic), the journal is able to publish a whopping 28 issues per year. Not bad. <11an>limit:2;categories:Jobs|Programs|Conferences;disciplines:Business Economics (JEL M)</11an> 6. Review of Accounting Studies Published by Springer. For the publication of all aspects of research in the field of accounting, including theoretical, empirical, and experimental work. The journal website states that it 'is committed to the principle that distinctive scholarship is rigorous.' The quarterly journal was established in 1996 and year on year holds a good reputation and impact factor. 7. Accounting, Organizations and Society Published by Elsevier. A journal focused on the relationship between accounting and human behaviour, such as the importance of organisational structures and the way in which enterprises fit into the social and political environment. It states its aims as challenging and extending understanding of the 'roles of accounting and related emergent and calculative practices in the construction of economic and societal actors'. The development of markets and infrastructures is also key in how economic organisation and societal actors are influenced and therefore how they act. Accounting, Organizations and Society published eight times per year. 8. Administrative Science Quarterly Published by Sage. For the field of organisational studies, this journal publishes empirical and theoretical papers from both new researchers and established scholars, plus interdisciplinary work on organisational theory. It is managed by Cornell University and focuses on interdisciplinary work in organisation theory and has had a myriad of award-winning papers attached to it. As the name suggests, it is published four times a year. 9. Journal of Business and Economic Statistics Published by the American Statistical Association. A journal which publishes materials related to the statistical analysis of problems in economics, forecasting, business, and finance. It also welcomes general papers in statistics and econometrics which are related to the journal's topics of interest. It is interested in high-quality methodological content, 'excellent exposition', and empiricism is highly valued. The Journal of Business and Economic Statistics is published quarterly. 10. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice Published by Wiley. For the field of entrepreneurship studies, this journal publishes conceptual and empirical articles which would be of interest to entrepreneurs as well as researchers, consultants, and policymakers. Article topics often focus on new venture creation, the behaviours of entrepreneurs, business management, sustainable entrepreneurship, and venture financing, among many others, with the aim of contributing to the advancement of entrepreneurship. It is published bimonthly, meaning every two months.
If you're in the field of business, whether you're a student, a researcher, or an entrepreneur, then you'll know how important it is to keep up to date with all the latest developments. To help you with this, we've compiled a list of the top academic journals in business, so you can know where to look for all the latest cutting-edge research.
Economics Blogging Tips From Leigh Caldwell
For other articles on economics, studying and finding jobs... ➲ Download the 2019 Handbook now! Introducing the esteemed Mr Leigh Caldwell…. If forced to pick, which blog article would you say you are most proud of? And, in addition to that, which has created the most ‘buzz’, not necessarily just in terms of reads, but in the conversations it started? I think my personal favourites [from the blog Knowing and Making] are the series of posts in which I lay out my core ideas about cognitive economics. Cognitive economics studies how individuals make economic decisions based on what’s going on in their heads - primarily through an individual’s imagination, empathy and beliefs. Looking at my series posts, such as, ‘Introducing System 3: How we use our imagination to make choices’,’ Neuroscience, psychology and economics: the evidence for System 3 (long)’ and 'Lassie died one night', would give a reader a great insight into cognitive economics. The blog that got the most attention, however, was probably this one, 'Behavioural economics: the Kylie Minogue of market research' - I think people in the market research industry found it amusing. Finally, I would like to hope that 'The gender pay gap on Euristica: an imaginary island' (accompanied by a video of my TEDx talk) has also had a positive impact. This one is for the economic-blog enthusiasts out there. Which fellow (rival?!) bloggers are you currently reading? And whose blogs would you recommend as essential for our readers to follow? I don't see them as rivals at all! My current favourites are Steve Randy Waldman's blog, Interfluidity: he doesn't post too often but when he does, his articles get straight to the heart of complicated, deep topics. Miles Kimball's blog, Confessions of a Supply-Side Liberal is also commendable, often containing insights into cognitive economics - my core focus. If you are looking for funny and penetrative, check out Chris Dillow's blog, Stumbling and Mumbling. His blog is aligned mostly to the left of British politics, but not dogmatically so. A further recommendation would be Frances Coppola's blog, Coppola Comment, which typically contains well-informed comment pieces on business and economics from the perspective of a (reformed) banker. Coppola's is also one of the few popular blogs by female economists - I really hope we'll see more in the future. Others female economist bloggers worth checking out are Carola Binder, Frances Woolley and Jodi Beggs. And finally, can you give, in under 100 words, a description of your blog, and tell the people why they should visit it? My blog, Knowing and Making, covers cognitive economics: a new field of economics that studies the mental and emotional outcomes that people pursue, not just the material and financial goods of traditional economic theory. I write about the latest findings in this field, its applications to business and politics, and related areas such as behavioural economics. Cognitive economics allows us to better understand human psychology, why we care about things that are all in our (or other people's) heads and how we make economic decisions based on these beliefs. If you think traditional economics is too limited, lacks an interdisciplinary approach or you want to find out more about events and conferences happening around cognitive economics, please come and have a look. For other pieces on economics, finding jobs, and studying... ➲ Download the 2019 Handbook now!
Responding to the success of our blogging article in our 2019 INOMICS Handbook – for those of you unacquainted, click here – the economists are back, answering more blog-oriented questions. This time around, we’ve taken a bit of a personal turn, quizzing our participants about their blogging successes; the concepts behind their writings; and their preferred reads. For those setting out on their economic journey, the following makes for essential reading