Master Data and Economics for Public Policy - Ecole polytechnique/ENSAE Paris/Télécom Paris
Learn more on the program website What is the program about? Academic prerequisites Career prospects Course content Application website Discover the program on YouTube Words from our program directors Pierre Boyer Franck Malherbet
The program enables graduates to leverage data science and economic analysis to design, develop, and implement impactful public policies. It stands out among France's prestigious engineering schools, renowned for training top-tier policy leaders for over two centuries. Supported by leading institutional partners, it offers numerous scholarships, rewarding both merit and financial need. Students benefit from a rich blend of technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and a solid grounding in social sciences. Over two years, they refine their quantitative and analytical abilities while gaining a deep understanding of the complexities of the policy landscape. In today’s world, marked by challenges in economic development, labor, poverty, social equity, education, health, and the environment, this program equips students with the tools to craft evidence-based solutions. With a focus on quantitative methods, it prepares them to frame, analyze, and address critical public policy issues, driving meaningful reform and improvement.
Public Economics & Economic Policy (JEL H)
Economic Development, Innovation and Growth (JEL O)
Urban, Rural and Transportation Economics (JEL R)
Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics (JEL E)
Econometrics, Statistics and Quantitative Methods (JEL C)
Agricultural and Environmental Economics (JEL Q)
Professor Kevin O’Rourke Receives Alice Murray Award for Economic History
Professor O’Rourke will receive the award on February 19, 2026. Following the presentation, he will hold a lecture titled 'From most-favoured-nation to reciprocal tariffs: what is unsurprising about Trump’s tariffs, what is surprising, and why it matters'. The lecture will take place at 17:00 in the Neill Lecture Theatre at Trinity Long Room Hub, Trinity College Dublin. In anticipation of his lecture, Professor O’Rourke emphasized the importance of historical context in understanding current U.S. tariff policies, noting the shift from non-discriminatory trade practices that the United States has traditionally endorsed. The Alice Murray Distinguished Scholar award is named after Dr. Alice Effie Murray (1877-1951). She was the first woman to earn a degree from the London School of Economics (LSE), and dedicated her career to studying the commercial and financial relations between England and Ireland. The award commemorates her legacy within the field of economic history. On receiving the award, Prof. O'Rourke said of Alice Murray: "I am particularly pleased to be giving a talk in her honour since she was among other things a historian of trade and trade policy, and so throughout my career I have been following in her footsteps." With a distinguished career at the intersection of economic history and international economics, Professor O’Rourke’s work has shaped modern understandings of globalization and trade policy. His previous academic affiliations include positions at All Souls College, Oxford, and Harvard University, among others. CEPH co-directors praised O’Rourke's influential work, highlighting his rigorous research and engagement with contemporary economic issues. This award not only acknowledges his achievements but also embodies the spirit of inquiry that Dr. Murray fostered in her own academic pursuits. For more information and registration details for the lecture, visit this link. Image Credits: tcd.ie
Professor Kevin O’Rourke, from Sciences Po Paris and CNRS, has been announced as the recipient of the prestigious Alice Murray Distinguished Scholar Award. This award, presented by the Centre for Economics, Policy and History (CEPH) at Trinity College Dublin, recognizes an economic historian whose work significantly contributes to the discipline.
What Studying Business Taught Me About Economics
Before diving deeper, let me state clearly: I don’t believe this is the best strategy that an aspiring economist could take for their studies. If you love economics, it’s much more efficient to simply study economics. Still, my undergraduate degree — and my subsequent experiences working in industry — have given me some valuable perspective about business and economic theory. In particular, this article shares some largely intangible factors that I think about often when reading (relevant) economics research papers, or thinking about my own future research. I hope that it offers food for thought to current business students who may be thinking about a switch to economics within their current program or for a postgraduate degree. Without further ado, let’s dive in! The economically ideal firm: a rarity in reality When firms are discussed in economic theory, they’re usually depicted as lean, efficient, profit-maximizing entities that adjust rapidly to market conditions. In a similar vein as the ever-present rational economic man, this is good enough for the purposes of learning, and it greatly simplifies the math that economists must perform (without losing important nuance). Still, from my time in both studying businesses and working in them, I’ve learned and experienced many things that show this isn’t always the case. In fact, I think it’s almost never the case that a firm lives up to the economic ideal of a profit-maximizing machine (a hot take for the Neoclassicals in the room, but perhaps not surprising for the rest of you!). There are many reasons for this, some of which surprised me when I started working for the first time. Soft skills are hard to measure, but intensely important in the real world In the world of business, it’s no secret that soft skills are important. Soft skills include the ability to interact well with other coworkers, and importantly to present oneself and one’s work as useful and impressive. An employee who does great work but isn’t very good at making it known, or presenting it well, will appear to be a less effective employee than one with excellent public speaking and self-promotion skills. And employees who are fairly social, work well with others in teams, and handle their own emotions and conflicts professionally will be much more effective than those who do not. Many of the following points in this article deal with soft skills in some capacity, and as such we’ll move on to those points more specifically. But before getting into the nitty-gritty of the firm itself, it’s worth pointing out that one of the most critically important soft skills can begin before a job even starts: networking. Business has reinforced how network effects are powerful and must be accounted for In my experience — and likely very many other people’s — networking is the single most effective way to find a job. I’ve managed to land several jobs through cold applications, but (in most cases) only after sending hundreds of resumes out to potential employers, the majority of which received no response. For many, networking seems to be the only ray of hope in a sea of automatically rejected applications. But make no mistake: firms aren’t solely at fault for a difficult job market. Firms usually receive hundreds or even thousands of applications for a single position, a large amount of which may be clearly unqualified. This forces hiring managers to streamline the process of going through applications as much as possible. So, when a current employee recommends an applicant, a hiring manager knows that person is likely to be a quality candidate (as long as the employee is in good standing!) and their application immediately stands apart from the pile. Networking has several further benefits for both prospective employees and prospective employers. For instance, if a current employee recommends an applicant, it suggests that that prospective employee would likely be a good fit for the firm’s culture as well, which is very difficult to determine beforehand if an applicant is a total stranger. This grants that recommended applicant another advantage over the rest. Within economics, we have a well-researched concept called “network effects”, which reflect just these kinds of forces — and more. In labor economics, network effects might refer to broader situations, such as immigrant communities helping other immigrants move to and survive in a far-off land (think of, for example, the colonization of the Americas — network effects among European settlers in the first successful colonies made it easier for future settlers to arrive and survive). Generally, network effects lower the transaction cost for individuals and/or firms to find a suitable match in the labor market. My experiences in the labor market — not to mention casual discussions with a professor of economic history — have specifically emphasized to me how important these network effects can be! Networking doesn’t merely end once someone is hired, however. Relationships within a firm are often critical indicators of an employee’s long-term success, as well — and this gets to the heart of those critically important, intangible factors present in the business world. Incentives within firms are often messy and far from the economic ideal We must recognize that firms are made up of individuals. This simple statement has a large consequence, because individuals face their own set of incentives — and these are almost never perfectly aligned with the firm’s. Still, even though many firms can end up becoming a messy tangle of incentives, these incentive issues are (admittedly) usually insignificant. Employees must perform well enough to retain their paycheck, after all. Nevertheless, occasionally firm-employee incentive misalignment can lead to costly consequences. It’s easy to find stories in the news about employees who, after being fired, cost the firm large amounts of money — especially in tech (see for example this Infosecurity article). Often these acts of revenge are illegal, and former employees are prosecuted, but this does not reverse the damage the firm suffers. Still, this type of incident isn’t limited to ex-employees. Consider an employee working for a firm who questions their job security. In such a case, they’d be heavily incentivized to make themselves irreplaceable by any means possible, or simply to aggrandize themselves to make it appear that they were irreplaceable. Again using a tech example, one way an employee can do this is by writing critical code in an unintuitive manner and without using comments (or providing other documentation) to help other developers read it. This artificially and inefficiently increases the cost for a firm to fire this specific employee, and thus artificially increases the employee’s job security at the cost of the firm’s performance. In extreme cases, employees may even be incentivized to sabotage initiatives of the firm in order to maintain their own importance in the firm’s hierarchy. Inflated CEO/executive pay is another example of misaligned incentives. An individual CEO is heavily incentivized to give themselves as much credit for the firm’s success as possible, and to capture as much of the firm’s profit as they can for themselves (usually in the form of bonuses). This can be mitigated by a firm’s board of directors, who are typically the “boss” of the CEO in a public company, but if the board and the CEO are friendly this check may fail. Rather than pay the CEO millions of dollars in bonuses each year, it’s likely in the best interest of the company to keep most of that money and reinvest it into the firm’s activities, or even spread it among employees to increase morale or loyalty. There are many, many more examples of incentive issues that could be discussed here. But the existence of these point to another aspect of human behavior that influences business performance: interpersonal relationships. Managers and office politics greatly influence productivity Humans are primates with varied and intricate social dynamics. This can be wonderful…but it also creates a lot of problems for firms. Office politics are rarely discussed in economics courses (and seldom discussed in business courses, either!), yet they are an omnipresent force that shapes a workplace immensely. Work that would otherwise be a dream job for someone may end up being a nightmare purely because of interpersonal relationships; conversely, a job that someone strongly dislikes might be tolerable thanks to the presence of great coworkers, managers and leadership. When I first began working, I was shocked at how important “office politics” were. I had thought that simply doing great work would get me noticed. I also expected that managers would be good at seeing through the “surface level” of performance and identifying when employees were doing value-added work, when they were simply looking busy, and when a doomed project made an employee look less productive than they actually were (or vice versa). Yet, this was not the case in my (admittedly subjective!) experience. Often, employees who stayed later in the office were seen as more productive compared to employees who routinely left at 5PM on the dot. Yet, simple logic would suggest that this is precisely the opposite! If someone must continually stay late to finish their work, it’s likely that they’re less efficient than other coworkers who leave “on time”, all else equal. Of course, it’s possible that some employees simply have more work to do than others — but staffing is the manager’s job, and thus they should be aware of relative workloads and balance them accordingly. In several roles, I witnessed that being favored by managers meant that employees’ work was valued and lauded almost without fail. Meanwhile, some disfavored but very hard-working employees went unrecognized. Related to this, managers in multiple roles I held frequently seemed unable to disentangle the performance of employees from the performance of the specific projects they were tasked with. While it’s true that an employee can make or break a project, it’s also true that some products or projects are simply doomed to failure, while others are “slam-dunks” (a simple proof of this: the failure of Google Glass, which despite parent company Alphabet’s best efforts, simply did not have a viable market. Even the best marketing team in the world likely could not have made it work). In summary, office politics and evaluations of employees can be closely tied with how managers perceive the work that employees do, rather than the actual quality of the work done. These forces culminated in a founding member of one of my former work departments quitting over unfair treatment, and quickly getting snapped up by a competing firm. It also led to a new employee being promoted twice in the span of 6 months, putting them in a more senior role than other employees with more tenure than them — simply because the project they were on was overperforming (in my opinion, largely due to the sales efforts of that new employee’s very experienced manager). Both situations worsened morale significantly for other employees. These are admittedly subjective experiences, yet most people who have worked before can likely relate to them. And, people who haven’t worked much before probably have friends or family who have griped about similar situations. Outside of managerial “politics”, there are many interpersonal relationships that form the work environment which can influence productivity. Some people may not like each other, and therefore may not be effective teammates. Conversely, some people might get along too well, and might experience reductions in productivity because they’re having fun discussing non-work-related items for long periods of time. Sometimes employees even date each other, and later may break up, which can obviously introduce a significant tension into a team. These inefficiencies can be mitigated by firms in various ways, but are still issues that can take time and resources to deal with. Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to have good information about the true state of interpersonal relationships, for both managers and employees. Of course, these inefficiencies and internal politics in general are very, very difficult to measure empirically and study. Employees often have imperfect information about their own firm The consulting industry is massive, and it’s dominated by the “Big 4”: EY, Deloitte, PwC, and KPMG. These acronym-loving firms offer management consulting services, in which client companies hire them to do a deep dive into specific business problem and pose possible solutions. Statista shows that the worldwide market size for management consulting services was over $1 trillion in 2023. The fact that this market exists — nevermind that it is so large— shows that firms do not have perfect information. The reason why is simple: if firms had perfect information, they wouldn’t need to hire management consultants! What’s more, employees — including managers and executives — often have relatively little information about their own firm and its activities. It’s difficult to know what all of your immediate coworkers are doing, nevermind what every other area of the firm is responsible for. In larger firms, employees may be routinely surprised by developments made by other parts of the firm. Some departments may even have goals that are opposed to or incongruent with one another! From an efficiency standpoint, this may not be as big of an issue as it seems; after all, the job of executives is to guide and direct the firm, and it’s expected that they would have better-than-average insight into the firm’s activities. If a department was underperforming or misaligned, they could shrink, cut, or adapt it. Still, it’s easy to see how the economic ideal of a single profit-maximizing entity might not be realistic due to these factors. Many economic models have adapted to include situations of imperfect information, as it’s a major factor that economists have recognized for a long time. In fact, models continue to evolve — and if economists deem it relevant and helpful, I expect that many of the topics discussed in this article will continue to be incorporated into research and increasingly intricate and realistic economic models. Economic models tend to be simplified, but that’s often enough Despite sometimes having unrealistic assumptions, our general economic theories still work very well most of the time. We’ve previously discussed on the INOMICS blog that economic models, especially when considering their intended purpose, usually do not need extremely realistic assumptions. That argument need not be repeated here. Still, most of the topics discussed in this article are ripe for future research, and some economic models may benefit from a more comprehensive integration of several of these concepts. Just as labor economists have modeled the frictions in the labor market before, models that take into account the internal frictions of incentives and relationships — and research that aims to estimate how much they cost — will continue to deepen our understanding, and perhaps even help to influence policy. Behavioral economics, labor economics, firm theory, and game theory are all areas that have touched upon some of these important intangible factors before, and increasingly in recent years. For examples, see this 2023 paper about misaligned incentives between contractors and utility companies; another 2023 paper that details how misaligned incentives can possibly benefit leaders; and yet another 2023 paper discussing how organizational politics affects employees’ engagement. Yet, these areas remain ripe for future exploration. I suspect that many of the brilliant economists of tomorrow will find ways to deepen our understanding of these areas with their research. Perhaps, if you find a suitable Master’s or PhD in economics, you might even be one of them! Image Credits: AI Generated Image using Canva AI (Prompts: Abstract Image Business Economics)
When I was an undergraduate student and took my first economics class, I was hooked. But, rather than major in economics, I chose to major in business. That’s because I wanted to understand how the economy worked at its “smallest” unit, which I surmised was the individual business. Economics can of course study individuals and their decision-making too, but at least on the supply side, I thought that a single business could be considered the smallest unit of the economy. Economic theory can tell us how firms behave in a perfectly theoretical world…but how do they actually function? This was a question that captured my attention, and I decided to major in business (with a concentration in management consulting) to understand the working world as much as I could.
PhD student position in Data Science – KU Leuven
Project The PhD candidate will work on the development of advanced statistical and machine learning methods for time series prediction, with applications mainly in the field of traffic safety. In particular, the candidate will investigate and further develop statistical and machine learning methods for modelling and forecasting traffic safety outcomes, and contribute to data collection initiatives in function of advanced data analysis in the broad field of road safety research (with focus on, among others, regions, road types, road user categories and their interactions, assessment of road safety interventions and risk contributing factors…). Specific cases will be selected during the PhD. Results of the research will be communicated in top-level publications, and through presentations at international conferences and, where applicable, for relevant policy makers. Although the focus is on research, the candidate can be asked to give guidance to Bachelor’s and Master’s students, to be involved in teaching and to supervise and correct exams. Profile • You recently obtained your master’s degree (or you are about to graduate in 2026) in Business Engineering, Business and Information Systems Engineering, Statistics and Data Science, Mathematics, (Business) Economics, or a similar degree with an equivalent academic level. • You have a strong interest in statistics / data science and its applications. • Excellent results in prior studies are a requirement (cum laude – distinction, or higher). • Experience with programming languages (such as R and/or Python) is an asset. • You can conduct independent research (demonstrated, e.g., by an excellent Master’s thesis) as well as collaborate well in teams. • You have excellent command of spoken and written English and are equipped with good communication skills. • You are willing to participate in (international) seminars and conferences. • You are willing to enroll in the PhD program of the Faculty of Economics and Business at KU Leuven, which entails 21-ECTS of relevant coursework. • You will also give guidance to students, be involved in teaching activities and in the supervision of exams. Offer • A fulltime PhD position for 1 year, starting 2026, September 15, renewable up to a maximum of four years upon yearly successful evaluations. The work should lead to a PhD degree. • An interesting and diverse job within a dynamic and pleasant working environment, in a group conducting research at the highest international standards. • A social, tolerant, and constructive workplace that offers ample opportunities for personal development. • A correct and beneficial salary. • Numerous opportunities for personal growth, illustrated by e.g., conference participation, “doctoral schools” courses on transferable skills, participation in educational initiatives, and publication opportunities. Applications should be submitted through KU Leuven’s online platform together with: 1) a motivation letter with a statement of skills and research interests; 2) a curriculum vitae; 3) university diploma copies and complete transcripts More info on making a PhD at KU Leuven Interested? For more information please contact Prof. dr. Filip Van den Bossche, mail: filip.vandenbossche@kuleuven.be You can apply for this job no later than April 30, 2026 via the online application tool KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address. Sollicitatieprocedure Arbeidsvoorwaarden Loopbaanmogelijkheden Heb je een vraag over de online sollicitatieprocedure? Raadpleeg onze veelgestelde vragen of stuur een e-mail naar solliciteren@kuleuven.be
The ORSTAT research group, Faculty of Economics and Business, KU Leuven (Belgium) has a vacancy for a PhD student position in Data Science. We are looking for a full-time PhD student to do research on the use of statistical and machine learning methods for analyzing and forecasting traffic safety outcomes, under the supervision of prof. Filip Van den Bossche and prof. Christophe Croux. Website van de eenheid
Faculty of Economics and Business, KU Leuven
statistical and machine learning methods
Two-year Postdoctoral Research Position in Economics
Eligible candidates must have obtained their Master’s degree no earlier than June 2020. The University of Padua is strongly committed to equal opportunities and the promotion of diversity. Female candidates are especially encouraged to apply. Application Procedure Applicants should submit their expression of interest through the EconJobMarket platform by March 31, 2026. Applications should include: • a curriculum vitae; • a job market paper; • two letters of recommendation. Candidates who currently hold a position at another institution may apply without letters of recommendation if they wish to keep their application confidential. Approximate starting date: October 1, 2026 (negotiable) Funding and Compensation The position is supported by the Marco Fanno Fellowship, generously funded by the UniCredit Foundation, which supplements the postdoctoral stipend. The total remuneration amounts to approximately €50,000 gross/year (about €3,500/month after taxes, given favorable fiscal incentives for this position). Research Environment The Department of Economics and Management (dSEA) at the University of Padua is one of Italy’s leading research institutions in Economics and offers a vibrant, international, and highly stimulating research environment. In the most recent national research assessment exercise, dSEA ranked first in economics, business, and statistics among medium-sized universities. Internationally, the Department is ranked 101–150 in Economics by the QS World University Rankings and 201–250 by Times Higher Education. The Department has experienced a strong and consistent upward trajectory in recent years and aims to further consolidate its position by recruiting top talent from the international job market. To learn more about the Department of Economics and Management at the University of Padua, please visit our website: click here. For further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to: scouting.economia@unipd.it.
The Department of Economics and Management at the University of Padua invites expressions of interest from outstanding young scholars for a two-year, research-oriented postdoctoral position in Economics.
Department of Economics and Management, University of Padua
Fully Funded PhD in Economics, Finance and Management
The ideal candidate: must have completed MA degree in Economics, Finance, Management, Business administration, Business informatics or related fields before the beginning of the course; must be well versed in statistics and quantitative research methods and techniques; must demonstrate attention to detail, and combine integrity, creativity, efficiency and a willingness to cooperate with colleagues; must be passionate about empirical research with applications in economics, management, finance, business administration, business informatics, and related disciplines; must possess good communication and presentation skills; he/she must be fluent in English (both written and spoken); Previous (research) experience, although not required, is considered an advantage. If you wish to apply, please check profiles of potential supervisors at our website and submit: Letter of application, including description of areas of expertise, research interests, and experience Complete CV Potential supervisors and topics can be found here. Once your future supervisor agrees, you may officially apply via our online application. A fee for one application at the Faculty of Economics and Administration is 800 CZK. The online application requires you to submit the following documents (in English): Dissertation project (based on the topic you agreed on with your future supervisor) Structured professional CV Letter of motivation Proof of achieved education Application deadlines: 31st March 2026, 23:59 (course start date in September 2026) Dissertation project may be submitted by the 14th of April 2026. In case of any questions regarding the PhD programs in general or the application process, please contact William Richter (phd@econ.muni.cz). You can also find information on our website. We recommend you to read the Terms and Conditions of Admission to the Faculty of Economics and Administration as well. Follow us on Twitter, BlueSky for more opportunities (@veda_econmuni). Funding Notes PhD students receive a Doctoral study income for the standard period of study. In the academic year 2025/2026 the doctoral study income at ECON MUNI was 25,000 CZK (approx. 1034 EUR) This amount will increase in the following years together with the minimum wage. In addition, there is a possibility to apply for travel allowances, to participate in a students' grant competition with a high success rate and to participate in research projects with external funding. We typically arrange for PhD students to spend at least one semester at another university in Europe. There is no tuition fee.
The Faculty of Economics and Administration at the Masaryk University (Brno, Czech Republic) is inviting PhD applicants who would like to complete a PhD in the field of Economics, Finance and Management. Students and recent graduates with a background in economics, management, finance, business administration, business informatics, and related disciplines are invited to apply. Program topics: Empirical Economics: Labour, Health Behavioral and Experimental Economics Macroeconomics Finance Business Management Regional and Transport Economics Public Economics and Administration Environmental Economics
Faculty of Economics and Administration, Masaryk University
Professor Thomas M. Cooney Wins 2026 European Entrepreneurship Education Award
The Sten K. Johnson Centre for Entrepreneurship at Lund University has announced that Professor Thomas M. Cooney of Technological University Dublin, Ireland, has been awarded the prestigious European Entrepreneurship Education Award (EEEA) for 2026. Established to honor individuals and organizations that have made significant strides in entrepreneurship education across Europe, the EEEA provides recipients with a diploma and a monetary prize of 100,000 SEK (around 10,000 EUR / 11,000 USD). This recognition underscores the vital contributions made to the field. Achievements of Professor Cooney Recognized as a leading figure in entrepreneurship education, Cooney's impactful work focuses on empowering marginalized communities as the Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Behaviour, Inclusion and Innovation (CEBII). His initiatives have facilitated inclusive economic growth, providing vital business and life skills to underrepresented entrepreneurs. Through collaborative efforts with organizations such as the OECD, the European Commission, and the United Nations, Cooney has implemented effective strategies to foster entrepreneurial engagement in diverse communities. His contributions span various formats, including in-person, online, and e-learning programs, significantly broadening the outreach of entrepreneurial education. Notably, his undergraduate students have successfully raised about €1 million for charities through their projects, reflecting the practical impact of his teaching methods. A Celebration of Entrepreneurship Education The award ceremony for the EEEA 2026 will take place alongside the 3E conference in Bodø, Norway, from May 20–22, 2026. This gathering will bring together around 150-200 educators and researchers focused on entrepreneurship education, creating an ideal platform to celebrate Cooney’s achievements. For more details about the 3E conference, visit 3e2026.org. Image Credits: lusem.lu.se / Thomas M. Cooney
Lund University announces Professor Thomas M. Cooney from Technological University Dublin as recipient of the 2026 European Entrepreneurship Education Award for his contributions to inclusive entrepreneurship education.
Kiel Advanced Studies Program (PhD Program)
Structure Our 5-year program is organized in two main parts. The coursework and orientation period (first 16 months) and the dissertation research period (3,5 years). See below for a detailed overview. The program is organized by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, in cooperation with its partner universities situated in Kiel, Hamburg, Berlin, and Paris. Importantly, the Kiel Institute does not confer doctoral degrees; instead, candidates obtain their doctoral degrees from the university with which their primary supervisor is affiliated. For students enrolled in Kiel University, you will matriculate into the well-established Quantitative Economics graduate track (see details). Kiel University PhD students that pass the Kiel Institute program will automatically qualify for a doctoral degree and no extra courses need to be taken. What distinguishes us? A clear focus on international economics Academic excellence and world-leading external lecturers Policy relevance: we encourage students to do high quality research that matters A small cohort with close supervision and a collegial and supportive atmosphere, striving for at least 50% female students. Generous financial support (5 year funding) and subsidized housing Choose between the Baltic Sea and Berlin How to Apply Requirements A Master's degree in Economics or related fields with very good grades. The degree must be completed by the time of program entry. A strong motivation and ability for research on global economic issues as well as excellent analytical / quantitative skills. Your application documents should contain A motivation letter Curriculum Vitae Academic Transcripts Two academic letters of recommendation GRE scores are strongly recommended Proof of English language proficiency - Applications whose native language is not English and who cannot document at least one year of studies at an English-speaking university should submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. Deadlines Application portal opens 1 December, 2026 Application deadline: 15 January 2027 Program start: 1 September, 2027 We will make early offers soon after the first deadline. If open slots remain, there will be additional offers around the second deadline Submitting your application To submit your application please register or login at our Online Application Portal In case of technical issues, please contact advancedstudies@ifw-kiel.de
A new program to address global economic challenges The global economic system is undergoing a fundamental transformation, with rising geopolitical tensions and the transition to a greener global economy. We need novel and improved research to address these significant challenges. The Kiel Institute is dedicated to lead the process as a premier European hub for research in international economics. We are excited to announce the launch of a new doctoral program that aims to become Europe’s leading PhD program in the field of international economics.
Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IFW)
Economist Hanna Hottenrott (ZEW) Appointed to EU Advisory Body
Professor Hanna Hottenrott, head of the ZEW Research Department "Economics of Innovation and Industrial Dynamics", has been appointed to the 2026 Fellowship Programme of the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW). The appointment was announced by the ZEW in a press release. As a Fellow, Hottenrott will collaborate with other experts to advise the Commission on crucial issues such as technological transformation, geopolitical changes, and the development of the European internal market. "I am delighted about this opportunity to contribute our research findings directly to European policymaking processes through the DG GROW fellowship," expressed Hottenrott. She emphasized her eagerness to gain insights into the workings of the European Commission and contribute to enhancing Europe’s innovative capacity. ZEW President Professor Achim Wambach congratulated Hottenrott on her appointment, stating, "The fact that the Commission is drawing on her expertise shows how important scientific evidence has become for a future-oriented industrial and internal market policy." Wambach noted that Hottenrott's contribution would be invaluable in ensuring that the internal market remains competitive. The DG GROW Fellowship Programme is designed to integrate scientific expertise into core EU policy areas, enabling fellows to work closely with the Chief Economist Unit of the Directorate-General. This initiative strengthens the exchange of knowledge between research and policy-making, facilitating timely responses to contemporary economic challenges. Image Credits: Anna Logue / zew.de (free for editorial use)
Professor Hanna Hottenrott from ZEW Mannheim has been selected for the prestigious DG GROW Fellowship Programme, aimed at enhancing EU policy-making with expert insights on innovation and industrial dynamics.
Project The Operations Management Research Group of KU Leuven (Belgium) is offering a position for a full-time PhD student. The position is associated with a research project that aims integrating human preferences and fairness considerations into scheduling processes such as surgery, patient or staff scheduling using, e.g., multi-objective optimization or machine learning approaches and analyzing efficiency-fairness trade offs. The research will be conducted under the supervision of Prof. Laura Maria Poreschack of the Research Centre for Operations Management located on the campus Brussels and Leuven. This research should lead to a PhD-degree within 4 years. The research center for Operations Management covers a wide range of challenging topics in different areas of operations management. KU Leuven is the largest university in Belgium and is consistently ranked among the top 50 universities worldwide. In addition to its historic main campus in Leuven, the university has multiple campuses in cities such as Brussels and Antwerp, offering a vibrant and internationally connected academic environment. KU Leuven collaborates with more than 450 partner institutions across the globe, fostering strong international research networks. Note that this research track offers flexibility for the PhD researcher to develop their own research ideas, and that plans or topics may evolve based on advancements in academic literature or emerging opportunities. Nonetheless, the primary objective remains to publish high-quality research papers on this topic while ensuring practical relevance and/or a meaningful impact on teaching. Profile • You have a master’s degree in Engineering, Business, Mathematics, Econometrics, or data/ computer science (or a similar degree with an equivalent academic level). • You have a solid, mathematically-oriented, academic background in the topics related to this PhD position. Good knowledge of combinatorial optimization (scheduling problems, mathematical modelling etc.), machine learning and/or strong programming skills are an asset. • You have an interest in supply chain management and the potential applications of data-driven methodologies and algorithms. • You can do independent research (demonstrated, e.g., by an excellent MSc thesis). • You have excellent command of spoken and written English. • You are expected to participate in seminars and (international) conferences, and to enroll in the PhD program of the Faculty of Economics and Business, which entails 21-ECTS of relevant coursework during the first year of the PhD. The candidates also give guidance to students, are involved in teaching activities and in the supervision and correction of exams. Offer You will find a dynamic and pleasant working environment in Brussels and Leuven, in a group that is actively involved in scientific research at the highest international level. The contract is offered initially for 1 year with an extension up to 4 years after a positive evaluation. The tentative starting date is 15 September 2026, depending on the availability of the candidate. Please apply via the KU Leuven jobsite: Submit your application, including 1) a letter of motivation with a statement of skills and research interests, 2) a detailed curriculum vitae, 3) university diploma copies and transcripts. Interested? For more information please contact Prof. dr. Laura Maria Poreschack, mail: lauramaria.poreschack@kuleuven.be. You can apply for this job no later than March 22, 2026 via the online application tool
Topic: Data-driven methods for integrating human preferences and fairness considerations into scheduling processes Website van de eenheid
MEBA - Master in Economics and Business Administration
The Master in Economics and Business Administration (MEBA) is a one-year full-time official master program of 60 ECTS, organized by the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB). It aims at providing a solid, advanced and versatile economic education to students seeking to improve their technical toolbox to analyze a broad range of current economic issues. The MEBA intends to help students develop a critical ability in applying economics to practical scenarios and become professionals who are analytically strong and adaptable to a variety of public or private institutions: consulting firms, business associations, non-profit NGOs, think tanks, or domestic and international public institutions. The MEBA also provides candidates with the skills necessary to continue graduate research studies in economics, management or related disciplines.
An Official University Master Degree in the EHEA (European Higher Education Area)
Banque de France Awards 2025 Young Researchers Prize in Green Finance
On December 18, 2025, the Banque de France recognized outstanding contributions to green finance by awarding the 2025 "Jeunes chercheurs en finance verte" prize to Dr. Adrien Fabre and Prof. Dr. Thomas Giroux. The award ceremony took place during the "Green Finance Research Advances" conference, co-organized by the Banque de France alongside the Institut Louis Bachelier, with support from the Institute for Climate Economics (I4CE) and Paris Europlace’s Institut de la Finance Durable. Alexandre Gautier, Deputy General Director of Financial Stability and Operations at the Banque de France, presented the awards. Dr. Adrien Fabre, who holds a Ph.D. from the Paris School of Economics (which also announced the award this week), is recognized for his work in climate economics and international taxation. His recent publication, Un Plan mondial pour le climat et contre l’extrême pauvreté (2024), discusses emissions trading systems based on equal rights per capita. His research focuses on political preferences, international taxation, and climate policies, complemented by numerous international surveys to gauge support for climate measures. Prof. Dr. Thomas Giroux, from ETH Zurich, holds a doctorate in applied mathematics and sustainable finance. His research addresses the impact of climate and environmental risks on financial returns while exploring mechanisms to mobilize private capital for environmental transitions. He contributes extensively to sustainable finance, impact investing, and risk modeling across various markets. They succeed the 2024 winners Dr. Alain Naef and Dr. Isis Durrmeyer. The selection committee comprises renowned professors with significant experience in these fields from institutions in France and abroad. For more information about the awarding ceremony and the recipients’ work, visit the Banque de France website (in French). Credits: banque-france.fr / parisschoolofeconomics.eu / ethz.ch
The Banque de France has awarded the 2025 prize for young researchers in green finance to Dr. Adrien Fabre and Prof. Dr. Thomas Giroux during the Green Finance Research Advances conference.
The Institute for Employment Research (IAB) and the School of Business, Economics and Society of the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) offer a joint doctoral programme in labour market research in cooperation with TU Dortmund. GradAB is an interdisciplinary and flexible structured programme. The courses provide high-level training on economic and sociological labour market and social policy research, on methods, and data. Quantitative as well as qualitative approaches are welcome. 7 DOCTORAL SCHOLARSHIPS We aim for equal opportunities and work-life balance! Doctoral students benefit from a professional research and policy-consulting environment in one of the key institutions advising high-ranking social policymakers, IAB’s large network of renowned national and international universities, research and policy institutions. IAB’s unique data resources on employment and social security (administrative and survey data). The scholarship provides financial support of 1,650 €/month plus a monthly research cost allowance of 130 € for participation in scientific conferences and further training. Extra support for research visits is available. In addition, most of our GradAB participants work as junior researchers on a 26 % position in one of IAB’s research departments (employment subject to social insurance contributions/ minimum 1,220 € gross salary /month). We invite applications from outstanding graduates in the fields of economics, sociology, survey statistics or other social sciences who hold a master’s degree and have a strong interest in labour market research. The IAB aims at increasing the share of doctoral students with disabilities. For this reason, applications from persons with disabilities are highly welcome. BEGINNING 1 October 2026 MAXIMUM DURATION up to 4 years APPLICATION Please submit your application in English by 15 March 2026 CONTACT Dr Sandra Huber, GradAB coordinator Email: apply.gradab@iab.de FURTHER INFORMATION www.iab.de/en/gradab
Make your career in academics and policy consulting
The Institute for Employment Research (IAB)
EDS – Two year Master's program in Economics & Data Science - University of Genoa
LEARNING OUTCOMES The first year of the course is mainly devoted to equipe students with background postgraduate knowledge of both economics and quantitative techniques. One the one hand, students will learn some of the workhorse basic models that form the core of modern applied microeconomics and macroeconomics; one the other hand, students will receive a solid background in mathematics for economics, statistical modelling, optimization techniques and programming skills (Paython and R). In the second year students will deepen their understanding of some markets like energy, health and financial ones and they will expand their quantitative toolbox by attending courses in risk management, economic policy evaluation and big data techniques. The economics and management taught courses will complement the theoretical analysis with real world applications of various quantitative techniques (econometrics, agent-based-models, etc.). At the end of the course EDS students will have the ability to understand complex economic and financial phenomena and to analyze them in a data-driven logic. EDS has close links with both public and private firms and organizations. Hence, students are strongly encouraged to apply for internships positions during their second year. A number of Erasmus positions are also available. Writing up a Master Dissertation is a prerequisite for receiving the degree. The Dissertation can also be written as part of an internship position. CAREER PROSPECTS EDS students will be qualified for a range of positions, like: Economic Consultant Data Scientist Economic Analyst in the energy, environment, and health sectors Expert in the field of economic policy evaluation Risk analyst Economic researcher INTERNATIONAL PROFILE Since the Master is an English taught course, it attracts students from all over the world, which in turn contributes to the creation of an international environment among students who will also be able to enjoy the lively atmosphere of Genoa, uniquely positioned on the Mediterranean cost in the North of Italy. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS While we refer to (https://corsi.unige.it/en/corsi/11267/futuri-studenti-ammissione-iscrizione) for admission requirements, we particularly welcome students with a first cycle (Bachelor level) degree and that have achieved strong quantitative skills in mathematics and statistics; while some previous exposure to economics and management would be ideal is not strictly required. English language Requirement - Minimum B2 level APPLICATION For application procedure, see https://unige.it/en/internazionale/pre-assessment-procedure-master-degrees-taught-english-only-non-eu-students-living FEES From 0 to 3000 euros, depending on income DEADLINES A first intake of students will be admitted by 28th February 2026; a second intake by 15th April 2026. Late admissions can be considered only for EU students.
Economics & Data Science (EDS) is a two-year master’s degree, entirely taught in English, whose aim is to train economists with a very solid background in statistics and data science techniques. Our students will learn how to combine deep theoretical knowledge of certain markets (finance, health, energy) with the command of statistical, econometrics and data science tools to analyze them.
Summer School on Modern Topics in Time Series Analysis 2026
5th Klagenfurt-Bielefeld Summer School on Modern Topics in Time Series Analysis Main Facts Time: September 7-11, 2026 Venue: University of Klagenfurt, Austria Capacity: 40 participants Fee: EUR 550 (PhD students); EUR 700 (others) Target Audience The summer school’s target audience are primarily PhD students. However, the school also welcomes young post-doctoral researchers (from universities, research institutes or (central) banks) and professionals with a strong formal background seeking to extend their knowledge base in time series analysis. A good preliminary knowledge of the main work-horses of time series analysis, e.g., estimation and specification of vector autoregressive models, is expected. Important Dates May 15, 2026: Deadline for Application June 1, 2026: Notification of Acceptance June 15, 2026: Deadline for Registration Cancellation Policy Until August 2, 2026: free of charge | up to August 23, 2026: 50% of the fee will be retained | after August 23, 2026: no reimbursement possible. Programme / Schedule The summer school provides a PhD-level introduction to a range of modern topics in time series analysis taught by a selection of top researchers in Europe: Introduction and Overview: Dietmar Bauer (Bielefeld University) and Martin Wagner (University of Klagenfurt) Econometric Modelling of Climate Change: Eric Hillebrand (Aarhus University) Bootstrap: Jens-Peter Kreiß (TU Braunschweig) Structural VAR: Martin Bruns (University of East Anglia) Nonlinear VAR: James Duffy (Oxford University) Bayesian Methods for (Macro and Financial) Time Series Analysis: Gregor Kastner (University of Klagenfurt) Tensor and Network Econometrics: Roberto Casarin (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice) Hidden Markov Models: Roland Langrock (Bielefeld University) Each half-day will be dedicated to one topic in two 90-minute lectures. Presentations will roughly follow a common layout introducing the main theory of the area, potentially providing examples and discussing software available and finally indicating relevant questions at the research frontier. Schedule The summer school will start on Monday, September 7, 2026 at 9:00 (registration at 8:30) and will close on Friday, September 11, 2026 in the early afternoon. Details will be communicated directly to the participants. Application PhD students provide: - A motivation letter including the subject of their PhD thesis and name of their supervisor - An up-to-date CV listing all time series and statistics-related courses taken so far - Proof of enrolment in PhD studies Others: - A motivation letter - An up-to-date CV listing all time series analysis-related experience Please pack all documents into a single PDF file (size limit 5MB). Applications are to be sent to QED [at] aau [dot] at. Practical Information The conference fee covers social events, accommodation and transport. Some impressions from MTSA 2022 and 2024 include positive feedback about the balance between lectures and breaks, networking opportunities, and impactful presentations by instructors. Contact Information University of Klagenfurt Universitätsstraße 65-67 9020 Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Austria +43 463 2700 4102 www.aau.at
The Summer School on Modern Topics in Time Series Analysis is held at the University of Klagenfurt from September 7-11, 2026. This program targets PhD students and offers many insights from leading researchers on time series analysis. Enjoy the engaging athmosphere, learn and mingle with fellow PhD students. Connect to your peers as well as the experts providing introductions to modern topics in time series analysis.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Sanjeev GOYAL University of Cambridge, GB Michael KÖNIG Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, NL Sudipta SARANGI Virginia Tech, US WORKSHOP AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION Submit a paper by February 28, 2026 here. Register here. Earlybird before March 31, 2026: CHF 80.00. Regular until August 31, 2026: CHF 120.00 International workshop on the economics of SIGNED NETWORKS, including: • analysis of signed networks • formation of signed networks • networks of conflict • firm networks • corporate networks • network resilience • economics of networks in general • network science in general ORGANIZING COMMITTEE Berno BUECHEL Chair of Microeconomics, University of Fribourg, Switzerland, and member of the Swiss Center for Data + Network Sciences Qingchao ZENG, Post Doc, University of Fribourg, Switzerland Project partners: Dominik KAROS, Tim HELLMANN Inquieries about organisation and administration: karin.loetscher@unifr.ch Funded by Swiss National Science Foundation SNF, project Signed Networks: Strategic Network Formation and Centrality For related job openings see https://www.unifr.ch/amabe/en/chair/open-positions.html
International workshop on Signed Networks, Sept 3-4, 2026, in Fribourg, Switzerland. Signed networks capture both positive and negative ties, which is relevant for various applications including friendships at work, interactions on social media, and alliances between countries.
During the recent 2026 ASSA Meeting, the American Economic Association (AEA) recognized outstanding contributors to the economics profession with various awards. Key Award Winners Distinguished Service Award: Elizabeth Asiedu from Howard University was awarded for her significant contributions to economics and mentorship of underrepresented groups, particularly through her work with the Association for the Advancement of African Women Economists. Distinguished Economic Education Award: KimMarie McGoldrick from the University of Richmond, recognized for her impactful scholarship and dedication to teaching and mentoring over three decades. Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Syracuse University’s Department of Economics for the Departmental Seed Grant aimed at promoting diversity through the RAISE program. Professional Development Grant for URM Faculty to Muhammad Usman Taj from Midlands Technical College for his research on labor market dynamics. Additional Honors Risav Ganguly from Howard University received the Andrew Brimmer Undergraduate Essay Prize. The CSQIEP Award for Outstanding Research Paper in LGBTQ+ Economics was given to Christopher S. Carpenter (Vanderbilt University), Donn Feir (University of Victoria), Krishna Pendakur (Simon Fraser University), and Casey Warman (Dalhousie University) for their paper entitled “Nonbinary and Transgender Identities and Earnings: Evidence from a National Census,” forthcoming in the American Economic Review: Insights. Donna Ginther (University of Kansas) received the Carolyn Shaw Bell Award for her research on gender and race in economics. Mira Frick (Princeton University) received the 2025 Elaine Bennett Research Prize for her work developing theoretical models that capture real-world data and speak to ongoing empirical debates. Janet Yellen was honored with the inaugural Janet L. Yellen Award for Excellence in Public Service extending beyond scholarly research. For more information about the awards, visit the Awards section of the AEA website. Image Credits: Image generated via Canva AI (prompts: award; medal; academic)
The American Economic Association has announced the winners of its awards during the 2026 ASSA Meeting. Key recognitions include the Distinguished Service Award for Elizabeth Asiedu, the Distinguished Economic Education Award for KimMarie McGoldrick, and multiple awards focusing on diversity, gender, and inclusion in economics.
Why Choose IDEA? World-Class Education: Acquire a solid foundation in economics and finance with rigorous analytical training and advanced quantitative methods. Global Opportunities: Participate in the IDEA-MIBF Double Degree Program with Lingnan University in Hong Kong, specializing in international finance and banking. Expert Faculty: Learn from internationally recognized and diverse researchers dedicated to your success. In addition to faculty members, prestigious international scholars regularly visit, teach and advise in our program. Personalized Learning: Tailor your studies with a wide range of specializations to align with your career goals. In addition to standard courses, specialized topics such as Energy and Environmental Economics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Networks are available. Value and Accessibility: Given that the UAB is a public university, the IDEA program offers a top-tier education at a fraction of the cost to the students compared to similar international master’s programs, making high-quality economic training more accessible for talented students worldwide. Vibrant Location: Experience the rich culture and dynamic economic environment of Barcelona. Your Future Starts Here: Top Placements: Our graduates have secured positions in the private sector (e.g. Morgan Stanley, Deloitte) and at academic and international institutions such as OECD, Inter-American Development Bank, and Ph.D. programs MIT and Minnesota. Another natural continuation option available to the top students is to complete the Ph.D. at IDEA. The Ph.D. program forms part of ENTER, an international network of universities allowing for (extended) visits and exchanges. Career Advancement: Whether you aim for a Ph.D. or to enter the professional world, our program equips you with the skills and network to succeed. Funding Opportunities: Partial Fellowships Available: We offer financial support to outstanding applicants to help you focus on your studies. Teaching and Research Assistance Opportunities: Students can develop their skills through teaching and research assistance. Interested? On December 10th 2025 we will provide a 30min info session at 15h Central European Time (CET) which you can attend using this Zoom link Use this opportunity to ask questions and learn about the program directly. If you want to receive a reminder email or other updates, please fill this form . Join Us Today! How to Apply: Prepare Your Documents: Transcripts (with official translations if necessary) Statement of purpose Two letters of recommendation Optional: GRE and English proficiency test scores Submit Your Application: Complete the online application form. Pay the non-refundable €60 application fee. Apply early as admissions are rolling and spaces can fill quickly! Take the leap towards an exciting future in economics. Apply now!
Join the IDEA Master's Program in Economics in Barcelona and become part of an elite community shaping the world's economic landscape. IDEA is a joint project between the Department of Economics at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), the Institut d'Anàlisi Econòmica (IAE-CSIC), and the Barcelona School of Economics (BSE). The three institutions are characterized by their excellence in research and education.
Econometrics, Statistics and Quantitative Methods
Postdoctoral Research Scholar: Accelerating Asia's Decarbonization Through Trade and Investment Policies
The Power Transformation Lab (https://pwrlab.org/) at the University of California San Diego is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Scholar to contribute to a two-year project focused on helping Southeast and South Asian countries balance trade and investment with their decarbonization goals. The successful candidate will work with a team of researchers from the UCSD School of Global Policy and Strategy and Griffith University, and with numerous civil society organizations in the region. The researchers will be fully integrated into the UCSD community, which includes a highly interdisciplinary school of public policy scholars, robust campus units researching power and energy systems, and a world-class think tank studying contemporary China. Research Focus The project aims to identify and promote effective trade and investment policies to accelerate decarbonization. The research will involve: Data collection and modeling of trade, Chinese and non-Chinese investments, and localization policies in target geographies, including Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India. Collecting and analyzing existing clean energy trade and localization policies in Southeast and South Asia. Exploring the evolution of Chinese investments and alternative investment flows in shifting global value chains (GVCs) and export opportunities. Evaluating and preparing case studies where localization policies have successfully advanced or hindered decarbonization efforts. Proposing policy and investment strategies that balance localization objectives with decarbonization goals. QUALIFICATIONS Basic qualifications (required at time of application) At the time of application candidates must either have a Ph.D. (or equivalent degree) or be ABD (all but dissertation) in economics, political science, public policy, or a related field. Additional qualifications (required at time of start) Applicants are required to hold a Ph.D. or received a Ph.D. degree by the start of the appointment. Preferred qualifications Background in trade policy and energy economics; Prior expertise or knowledge in the regional foci (South Asia, Southeast Asia, China) APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS Document requirements Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V. Cover Letter Statement of Research Job Market Paper (Optional) Reference requirements 3-5 required (contact information only) Apply link Help contact: gps-ap@ucsd.edu ABOUT UC SAN DIEGO The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law. As a university employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements. As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer. JOB LOCATION San Diego, CA
Contribute to helping Southeast and South Asian countries balance trade and investment with their decarbonization goals
University of California San Diego - Economics Department
Graeme Blackett Appointed New Chair of Scottish Think-Tank "Prosper"
Blackett, a leading economist from Scotland, in a statement coinciding with his appointment, has stressed the need for unity among politicians, business leaders, and civic society to support the tens of thousands of vulnerable individuals experiencing financial distress in the country. Blackett, founder of the Edinburgh-based consultancy BiGGAR Economics, noted that "There has been low productivity and limited growth in the UK and Scottish economies for two decades". He pointed out that many individuals are struggling to meet their basic needs. However, he expressed optimism regarding potential opportunities in energy transition and emerging technologies like AI, urging collective action to navigate these challenges and capitalize on them. "Complexity requires collaboration. We need everyone to work together to identify what needs to be done, and then to do it," he said. Blackett's comments were made in the context of latest figures showing that a staggering 80% of businesses anticipating weak or very weak growth in the Scottish economy over the next year, according to the latest Scottish Business Monitor by Strathclyde University’s Fraser of Allander Institute. Blackett's appointment at Prosper takes on a particular relevance in 2026, which will see the Scottish Parliament elections taking place in May. On this topic, Blackett added that: "Politicians often talk about economic policy in terms of pulling levers. However, the economy has no control room and it is not a machine. Nevertheless, everything that politicians do matters to the economy — all policy has consequences, sometimes intended and sometimes unintended." Founded in 1931 during a time of great economic uncertainty, Prosper is a membership organisation that aims to bring together diverse sectors to devise strategies for economic growth in Scotland. Image Credit: prosper.scot (permission to use kindly granted)
Prominent economist Graeme Blackett has been appointed the new chair of Prosper, the Scottish membership organisation and think-tank. The appointment was announced in a press-release on the Prosper website. He takes over from Joanna Boag-Thomson.