Inviting Participants And Advertising Your Conference
Your working hours as a PhD student or postdoc are already busy and full of demands on your time and your brain, but it’s a great idea to make room in your schedule to organize a small conference or workshop. Gathering around twenty to fifty experts in your field for a day or two’s discussion and debate can be greatly intellectually stimulating, as well as an advantage for your career and a chance to learn new skills. Today we’ll talk about how to go about organizing a conference, and why you should consider doing it. How to organize a conference – getting started The first thing to decide is the topic of your conference. Is there a particular issue which you are interested in, which you feel is not widely discussed in your field? Have there been recent theoretical or empirical developments in your field which would benefit from further discussion? Is there a way for you to bring together researchers from different disciplines or backgrounds in order to engage with a challenging topic? Once you have an idea, ask around your co-workers and friends whether they would be interested in attending a conference on your topic, and whether they’d be interested in organizing it with you. It’s certainly helpful to have other people on your organization committee, to share the workload amongst you – but remember that too many organizers can lead to more discussion than action! Organizing your conference – arranging funding and inviting speakers You’ll need funding for your conference, to pay for the travel and accommodation costs of your speakers, to book rooms to hold the conference in, and for light refreshments to serve during breaks. Often university departments have budgets for the organization of conferences, or you may be able to secure funding from your supervisor, group leader, or grad school. When you request or apply for funding you should be able to give a title for your conference, an outline of the topics to be discussed, and suggestions of speakers that you wish to invite. Once you have a source of funding, you can start to invite your speakers. Don’t be afraid to be ambitious with this! Often senior academics or famous figures have extremely busy schedules, and may not have the time to attend your conference. However, people are usually happy to be invited, and even if they cannot attend they may be able to suggest other colleagues who could be interested in attending. The further in advance that you begin inviting people, the more likely that they will be able to attend, so do get started early. Once you have a topic, funding, and speakers, it’s time to start publicizing your conference. You’ll want to create a webpage which lists the relevant practical information (such as the date and location of the conference) and a brief introduction to each speaker. Then you can being sending out invitations. Email is one of the best ways toadvertise your conference as you can send out bulk emails to large numbers of people at no cost. You can alsoadvertise your event on social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook, and encourage your friends and co-workers to invite people who might be interested. You’ll also want to create a poster for your conference. Don’t worry if you’re not very experienced in graphic design – a poster which is simple and conveys the required information will do just fine, no need for fancy graphics work. It’s a good idea to get your poster printed in two sizes – one large full-size poster for hanging up around universities and research institutions, and one small flyer size for people to take home if they’re interested. You’ll want to have some form of registration so that you can estimate how many people will attend your event, and ensure you have enough space for everyone. Remember that some people may arrive on the day without registering, and that some people who register may not attend in the end – so use your registration numbers as a guide rather than an absolute. Organizing a conference can be a fun social experience as well as being a chance to discuss the latest issues in your field and an impressive addition to your CV. If you’re looking for inspiration or for conferences which you can attend in your area, check out the latest news on INOMICS.
Organizing a small conference or workshop – why and how to do it
Free Online Courses in Business Management & Engineering
If you want to sharpen your skills in Business Management and Engineering, today we're listing some great free online courses which are available for you to take now. Practical Information Technology Management Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Introduction to Computers in Public Management Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) The Software Business Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Quality Engineering & Management Technische Universität München Innovation and IT Management Indian Institute of Management Bangalore Understanding Wireless: Technology, Economics, and Policy University of Notre Dame Knowledge Management and Big Data in Business Hong Kong Polytechnic University Basics of Energy Sustainability Rice University Economics of Cybersecurity Delft University of Technology Introduction to Cloud Computing IEEE
Whilst most students still do the bulk of their learning in traditional educational institutions, alternative learning possibilities are becoming more and more common. One such possibility is taking an online course, in which materials and teaching are provided over the internet. Online learning is advantageous in that you can learn at your own pace, in an environment of your choosing, and in some cases at no cost to yourself.
How Can Social Media Help Researchers In Their Career Development?
Promote yourself and your research Your social media profiles may well be the first results which turn up in a google search of your name, so it's likely that prospective employers or collaborators will see your social media interactions when they are learning about you. Having an active, professional, interesting social media presence will demonstrate not only your expertise in your subject, but will also show that you spend time staying up to date with recent developments in your field, and that you can engage with other researchers in a helpful way. Social media should also be your first stop to promote your latest research. If you've recently had a paper published, if you're giving a talk or poster presentation, or if you've received an award, then you should share this news on your social media sites so that everyone following you can be informed about your recent achievements. Communicate your findings to the public Another important aspect of social media use for academics is the chance to communicate with the public. Defying the “ivory tower” stereotype and engaging directly with the public shows that you have good communication skills and that you care about the wider societal impact of your work. Plus, you will improve your writing skills, as using a service like twitter which is limited to 140 character inputs is excellent training in communicating succinctly and clearly. Get help and input from other researchers Say you're performing data analysis on your latest data set and you make an unexpected finding. You remember hearing about a statistical test which might be useful for looking at your data, but you haven't used the test before. So you google it, you consult a statistics textbook, and then you try it out – right? Well, it can also be helpful to consult other researchers on social media before you do so. Perhaps you follow a statistician who can advise you on whether the test is appropriate for your data set, or maybe another researcher in your field has tried the same approach in their research but it didn't work out, and they can warn you what the problems with it were. Bring able to consult a huge field of researchers in real-time is a great boon for any academic. When you have questions about a topic which is outside your main area of expertise, you can use social media to ask for input from experts in a quick and easy manner. Build your network and meet new contacts One of the most useful things that social media can offer academics is a way to build your professional network. You can follow researchers in your subject from all over the world, and get to know people who are working on similar topics to you. If you're heading to a conference or talk, it's a good idea to make a post about it in the days before the event, so that other researchers who will also be attending the event can get in contact with you. You can also make use of event-specific hashtags to track the commentary and ideas of other attendees at events. This will help you to get in contact with other researchers and ensure that when you are job hunting or promoting your work, that your name will be familiar to people in your field.
Nowadays it's almost expected for academics to be active on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook. For a generation who grew up with internet technology as a part of their lives, it's natural that young academics would share their thoughts on academia with an online audience. There are distinct advantages for academics in making use of social media too, for career goals as well as personal fulfilment. If you're wondering whether your online profile is in need of an update, here are a few reasons to consider expanding your online presence to make greater use of social media.
2016 Nobel Prize Winners Announced: Meet the Nobel Laureates
The prize in economics this year went to both Oliver Hart, Professor of Economics at Harvard University, and Bengt Holmström, Professor of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, for their contributions to contract theory. Hart, born in Britain, and Holmstrom, who is Finnish, were brought together by their related research projects and have been friends for decades. "He's my closest intellectual friend here and a personal friend also. And he has been important for my thinking and I hope I have been important for his thinking," Holmstrom told Reuters Television. In his work since the late 1970s, Holmström examined the relationship between performance and compensation in the context of employment contracts. He found that in industries which are high-risk, payment in a fixed salary is preferable, while in stable industries, it is better for payment to be directly linked to performance. These findings have been used to criticise the high levels of executive pay in the USA and other countries, and to argue for policies to rectify stagnant wages for workers. The work is of direct practical relevance to companies and individuals who are interested in how fair compensation for labour should be assessed. Hart’s research focused on incomplete contracts and the need to have an open approach to them while maintaining a firm grasp on the rules governing such situations. As contracts cannot specify every possible eventuality in their text, a theory was required to determine which party should have control rights over the contract; that is, which party is entitled to make decisions in which circumstances. Hart's approach focuses on the method of determining a specific outcome in a general situation, rather than the precise outcome, which has relevance for questions of which companies should merge, and whether institutions such as hospitals, schools, and prisons should be owned publicly or privately. For example, Hart has argued that in privatised prisons, the incentives to cut costs are too strong, resulting in worse conditions for prisoners. In fact, federal authorities in the USA are now ending the use of private prisons, because they have found that the conditions in them are worse than in publicly-run prisons. Between Holmström and Hart, their research founded the field of contract theory as an area of economic study. By analysing optimal contractual arrangements, they have laid the basis for determining the best policies in areas as diverse as bankruptcy legislation and political constitutions. The other Nobel Prizes awarded included the prize in physics, which was shared between David J. Thouless of the University of Washington, USA; and F. Duncan M. Haldane of Princeton University, USA and J. Michael Kosterlitz of Brown University, USA, all three of whom worked in the area of topological concepts. They used advanced mathematical models to examine unusual states of matter, such as superfluids, which has potential applications in the fields of materials science and electronics. The Nobel Prize for chemistry went to a group of three, Jean-Pierre Sauvage of the University of Strasbourg, France, Sir J. Fraser Stoddart of Northwestern University, USA, and Bernard L. Feringa of the University of Groningen, the Netherlands. Between the three of them, from 1983 to 2016 they developed molecules which are capable of performing a task when energy is passed to them, also known as “molecular machines”. The potential applications of this research are enormous, including the creation of new types of materials and energy storage systems. The award in medicine went to Yoshinori Ohsumi of the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan, who discovered the mechanisms through which autophagy operates. Autophagy is the process by which cellular components degrade and are eventually recycled, the exact mechanisms of which have not been understood before now. The knowledge of the recycling processes of cells has applications in the understanding and treatment of diseases like Parkinson's disease and type 2 diabetes. The Nobel Peace Prize for 2016 went to Juan Manuel Santos, President of Colombia, for his efforts in ending the civil war which has raged in the country for more than 50 years. President Santos initiated negotiations between the government and the guerilla group FARC, which eventually lead to a peace accord between the parties. The award is also a tribute to the more than 220,000 Colombians whose lives were lost due to the war. Finally, the Nobel Prize in literature went to to American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, in a surprising choice which represents the first time that a musician has been awarded this prize. As he is famed for his lyrics as much as for his melodies, Dylan was honoured for his profound contributions to poetic expression in the American song tradition. If you are interested in reading about last year’s winners, take a look at this blog post on the 2015 Nobel Prize recipients and their work Photo Source: Adam Baker , Marie Thérèse Hébert & Jean Robert Thibault
The winners of the 2016 Nobel Prizes were recently announced, to honour outstanding contributions to the fields of economics, physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and world peace. The winners have each made a dramatic impact on the state of their various fields, so in this article we'll introduce you to the winners and to the work which they have be recognised for.
1. Finance sector Naturally, the most common type of work which finance graduates find is in the finance sector. This includes jobs directly related to your studies, like roles as a financial analyst, financial consultant, or finance manager. You could work for a financial services company like American Express, which offers high compensation and good benefits, making it one of the employers with the best reputation for job satisfaction. 2. Banking Related the the finance sector, there are many jobs available to finance graduates in banks such as HSBC or Barclays. These environment can be high pressure and demand long working hours, but for a person who thrives on an energetic and challenging environment they can be very compelling. Investment banking is a subset of banking which is particularly suited to those who flourish in high risk, high reward situations. 3. Research organisations Research in economics and finance is an ongoing process, and there are finance research-based roles to be found in organisations like the Institute of International Finance as well as at universities which specialise in economics. This kind of work will suit those of a methodical and thoughtful temperament, who can live with the high salaries and high drama of other financial jobs and prefer more security and self-determination. 4. Insurance and actuarial work Another big employer of finance graduates is the insurance industry, including huge international firms like Chubb or smaller, more specialist companies like New York Life Insurance. Insurance companies and many other types of company require actuaries who measure and manage risk, among other roles. Such jobs are suited to people with an eye for details and firm mathematical and statistical skills, which you would acquire in your finance degree. 5. Environmental sector As the world becomes more aware of the importance of environmental issues, the environmental sector will continue to grow and grow. There is a need for financial planners and strategists to work with environmental charities, research groups, and governmental organisations to promote sustainability in a financially responsible way. 6. Real estate An industry which is sometimes overlooked by finance graduates is real estate. Like working in insurance or banking, this requires a head for numbers and financial skills in, for example, mortgage banking. The commercial real estate sector refers to the buying, selling, and managements of properties which will be revenue-generating, such as office buildings, retail, or industrial properties. Residential real estate focuses on properties owned by landlords or organisations which are rented to individuals to live in. 7. Venture capital / Startups If you have keen business sense and a high tolerance for risk, you might be suited to work in the world of startups. Venture capital firms are those like Andreessen Horowitz or Khosla Ventures which provides funding for startups which have high growth potential. Alternatively, jobs are available on the other side of the table, within startups companies which require financial advice and steering. 8. Government There's always a need for people with finance knowledge and skills to work in government or civil service jobs. Financial analysts in particular are needed for many branches of government, including defence and the military. Such roles offer less compensation than you would find in private industry, but they have advantages like a better work/life balance with less hours worked each week, and greater job security. 9. Sales / Business Development If you're looking for something a bit different to try as a career after you graduate with a finance degree, consider that your knowledge and skills are well suited to sales or business development. The combination of hard skills like mathematics and the ability to predict the outcome of business decisions, combined with soft skills like persuasion and presentation, can make finance graduates excellent salespeople in all sorts of contexts. 10. NGOs Finally, if there is a cause you are passionate about, such as the refugee crisis which is currently ongoing, then you could use your finance skills to help with the financial management of NGOs such as the UNHCR. These organisations are in need of savvy financial management, and although the compensation the offer is less than other roles, they can give a sense of personal satisfaction which is hard to beat.
What kind of jobs are open to recent graduates in finance? What are some of the biggest employers in this field? We're answering these questions with our list of 10 of the top employers for finance.
5 Top Tips For Students Dealing With Written Essay Exams
1. Get enough sleep the night before the exam One good way to make exams go more smoothly is to prepare yourself well before the exam takes place. Of course it's tempting to stay up late the night before and attempt to cram in as much revision as you can, especially if you're feeling worried, but resist this impulse! You'll do a lot better if you can get a full night's sleep beforehand and arrive at your exam feeling well-rested. 2. On the day of the exam, arrive early and not too caffeinated On the day of the exam, if you're feeling very nervous and jumpy, you can try doing a few simple exercises, like doing some jumping jacks in your room or running up and down a staircase a couple of times. This can help to burn of some of your nervous energy. If you're really hopeless without a coffee first thing in the morning, then have one cup before the exam. But don't drink too much coffee, tea, or energy drinks before, as these will leave you feel distracted and will make it difficult to concentrate. Do get to the exam venue early, as it can take a while to find the correct room, register, and find your seat. It's better to have an extra 10 minutes to take a drink of water and use the bathroom than it is to turn up late and have to rush into a busy exam hall. 3. Don't sweat the details, focus on the big picture People often panic in exams because they feel like they don't know enough information to write an essay, or that there are important facts which they won't remember. But generally, this is not the best way to go. When writing an essay exam, you want to convey your understanding of the overall state of the field. It's not necessary for you to memorise hundreds of facts, and actually, if you make an error or mis-remember a piece of information then it's not a big deal. Instead, use the essay structure to convey your broad understanding of the topic and the debates within it which you have picked up from teaching across the semester. Generally, you'll get a better mark for giving an answer which is well-discussed and broadly correct even if it has a few small actual errors, than for one which is factually correct but lacks any depth of understanding or the ability to lead the reader from one point to the next. 4. When you start the exam, take some time to read and think Once you've arrived in the exam location and seen the exam questions for the first time, it's common to want to start writing straight away. People feel like they have to start writing immediately as they are under time pressure. However, you should take some time to read and think about the question before you pick up your pen. Read the question, and then read it again. Don't assume you know what the question is asking! Take some time to think about the specific wording of the question, and how you can use your relevant knowledge to answer it. It's absolutely fine to take 5 to 10 minutes at the start of an exam session to sit quietly and think before you start writing. 5. Write an outline before you start writing your answer Once you've thought about the question, you're still not quite ready to write yet. You should plan an outline of the answer you're going to write. This can be very simple – a few bullet points is fine – but having some kind of structure to work with will help you to develop your thinking and to write the answer. You should use the usual essay structure of Introduction – Argument – Counter Argument – Conclusion. You can also use this structure to plan out your time, noting down how much time you will spend writing each section. Finally, do try to leave yourself some time for proofreading and final edits at the end. Best of luck with your exams!
Exams can be a real stress for students! But don't panic, because we're here to help with our tips on how to ace your written essay exams:
If you're finishing up a degree in economics, you might, and probably should, be wondering what career options you have open to you. Fortunately, an economics degree gives you many transferable skills, including hard skills like data analysis as well as soft skills like presentation, all of which can be useful in landing you a job. 1. Universities For those who have completed a bachelor's or master's degree in economics, universities remain one of the biggest potential employers. You could do a PhD, or be employed as a research assistant or lecturer in economics. The advantages of such positions are the chance to direct new and innovative research, and to build up excellent networks of contacts in the field, however, the compensation is lower than in other positions and competition can be fierce. <11an>limit:3;categories:Jobs;disciplines:Economics</11an> 2. Research institutes / Graduate teaching centres Related to universities, another option for employment of economists is graduate schools or research institutes. These offer similar advantages to working in a university, but with more emphasis on research than on teaching. This can be an advantage for those who want to focus on publishing papers, but a disadvantage for those who enjoy the challenge of teaching less experienced students. 3. Banks / Finance sector Knowledge of economics will set you up well for a career in banking or finance, for example as a finance director or a financial analyst. Large banks such as HSBC or NatWest have offices all over the world, giving you the potential to travel to many new places with your work. The compensation tends to be very good in the finance sector, allowing you the freedom that a higher salary offers. 4. Private companies Small to medium businesses are a potential source of employment which shouldn't be overlooked. While such businesses are unlikely to need an economist specifically unless that is part of their market strategy, you can be successful in such roles by making use of your transferable skills, like critical thinking, statistics, and report writing. 5. NGOs If there's a political or social issue which you're passionate about, you could find an NGO doing work in that area, such as Oxfam which works on eliminating poverty, or Médecins Sans Frontières which provides healthcare for people in developing countries. 6. Think tanks / Pressure groups Like NGOs, think tanks are organisations which perform research and create campaigns to try to influence policy. If you want to be involved in the nitty-gritty of policy making, working in a think tank such as the Centre for European Policy gives you this chance. 7. Government The state or civil service is another employer which commonly recruits economics graduates. While these jobs can be less well paid than others, they do offer long-term job security, which makes them attractive in difficult economic climates. 8. Environmental sector With increasing awareness of the effect that human activity is having on the planet, the environmental sector is growing and is expected to continue to grow. Economists are valuable in this sector in organisations such as the United Nations Environment Programme to give advice on sustainability and economic development goals. 9. Healthcare Another growth field is healthcare, which becomes more and more important with an ageing world population. There is a need for analysts to look at data about healthcare costs and to find affordable solutions for healthcare providers. Depending on the country, this could be in either a private or a state setting. 10. Internet / Communications A final area to which economics graduates are well-suited for employment is in the area of internet and communications. Many internet companies want to make use of large data sets, and economists have skills in this kind of data analysis which can be helpful. As well as big famous companies like Google or Microsoft, lots of smaller internet-based startup companies could be potential employers too.
We're listed ten of the top employers for economists, to give you some ideas about what jobs might be available to you once you graduate.
Public Economics & Economic Policy (JEL H)
Agricultural and Environmental Economics (JEL Q)
Five Best Ways For Making Friends While Studying Abroad
Whereas for some students it is easy to make friends, for others – especially so when in a foreign country with no existing social contacts – it can feel a little confusing and overwhelming having to go out and try to make new friends. But it’s all part of the experience! Learning to interact with new people in an entirely different environment will develop your social skills, and also let you meet amazing people that you otherwise wouldn’t. To help our Master’s students just beginning their study adventure abroad, we asked our colleagues at Asia Exchange who organize student exchanges to Asia for some tips on how to make friends and how to have a social life when studying abroad. Friends make your time abroad memorable! Make sure you actively try to be social, and always keep a smile on your face! 1. Talk to people We really mean it. Don’t be afraid to use English or any other foreign language that is commonly spoken – or better yet, if possible, learn the native language of the country you are visiting so you can communicate with the locals even in their own language! You don’t need to try and have deep conversations with every single person you meet, but at the very least, nicely greeting each and every person you encounter will get you started on the mission to making more friends. This may seem a bit too obvious but another important thing to always remember is to smile; people are more likely to have a nice first impression on you if you appear as a positive person rather than a grumpy foreign student. It is good to remember that most of the best human relations that you will have in your life will start from nothing more complicated than saying “Hi”. So in a nutshell, talk more, and make more friends! 2. Participate in extracurricular activities As a part of the orientation week, Asia Exchange organizes a so-called “Ice-Breaking Party” at most of their study abroad destinations to help new students get to know each other. Orientation day and any trips and parties organized by the university are excellent ways to get to know some of the other students. Make sure to take part into all the extracurricular activities you can, and get to know the people you are studying with better! Also outside the university, stay active with any hobbies that you may have – going to the gym, playing basketball at a public court, or joining a local photography group are some ways to get to connect more with local people who share a similar interest with you already. Once you get to know some of these people with a shared passion, you are likely to become friends with them and not only will you get to practice your favorite hobby, you will create a new social network that may be outside your university peer group. Joining a gym can be a great way to make friends that share a similar interest with you. 3. Eat out Ice cream, fried rice, raw-cooked porridge… It doesn’t matter what sort of food tickles your fancy but the key thing here is to go and eat out often – students who sit at home eating a bag of chips watching TV are less likely to make new friends. Eating out is one of the best ways to combine the always-so-rewarding hunger-fix into potentially making some new friends! Again, it’s essential to remember the first tip, which was to talk to people. So – go out, eat out, talk to people, and grab a drink together if you feel like it. It is no secret that a key to a man’s (also woman’s) heart is good food. We are happier when full, and happy people make more friends! Many successful businessmen tend to always combine important business meetings to a nice meal as the way our brain functions simply makes us feel better and happier after we’ve eaten. So don’t ever be afraid to go out for some food and a drink! 4. Never say “no” Ok, maybe sometimes it is acceptable. We recommend you to use common sense. What we mean by “never say no” is that you should never deny a nice invitation to something social. Here are some of their pieces of advice. Playing soccer, exploring the surroundings of your host city, attending social events are all opportunities to increase your social network. It’s easy to say no, but when you are on exchange, you should definitely try and take on every opportunity you get to meet new people – unless your mid-term exam is tomorrow morning, and you are not feeling 100% confident about passing it. Adventures are waiting just around the corner. Never say no when someone invites you to do something social! 5. Social Media and Apps – use them At Asia Exchange, they always connect their students on Facebook already before the exchange semester even starts. It is easy for you to communicate with other students about travel plans and such on these groups, and you should not hesitate to share ideas and ask questions about the approaching exchange semester. Besides Facebook, there are also apps for meeting people while in a certain area. Even Tinder may help you meeting local people to show you around the city. Some Asia Exchange students studying in Bangkok had had many city tours and outings with people that were happy to show them around some of the beautiful areas of the city. So just use your creativity, and look up some of the latest popular apps for connecting with other people around you! If you would like to learn more about the study abroad programs in Asia, see Asia Exchange’s website. Asia Exchange enables students to take part in study abroad semesters and internships in Asia. Since 2007, Asia Exchange has helped 4000 students from 400 universities and 45 countries to study in Asian universities. Nine high-quality partner universities are located in South Korea (Seoul), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), China (Shanghai, Guangzhou), Thailand (Bangkok, Phuket) and Indonesia (Bali, Lombok).
One of the most important factors affecting the total experience of your semester studying abroad are the friends that you make. While some students go on a study exchange with a friend or a few from back home, many decide to go abroad by just themselves.
How to Get Accepted to an Academic Conference
Choosing the right conference Firstly, choose the conference which will be most relevant to your research. Budgets for conference attendance vary, but typically a PhD student might expect to attend either one large conference per year, or two to three smaller conferences. So it's important that the conference you apply to is a good match for your interests. A few factors to consider when selecting a conference: Is it a broad event or is it for a specialist topic? There can be advantages of each – presenting your work to a diverse or interdisciplinary audience is excellent practice for your communication skills. But specialists in your area will be more interested in your work and can give you better feedback. Is it a national conference, or is it international? Generally speaking, international conferences are more highly regarded, but they are also more difficult to get accepted into and they are more expensive to attend. How will you fund your conference trip? You'll need funding to pay for not only the conference fee, but also travel, accommodation, and food while you're away. Universities usually have budgets for students to attend conferences, but there are often restrictions on where you can travel to or how much you can spend in total. Some conferences offer grants for students to attend if they get accepted to give a presentation, so take a look at the conference website and find out what is available funding-wise. Submitting an abstract for a conference presentation Once you've chosen one or two conference that you're interested in attending, look out for the “Call for Abstracts” which comes a few months before the conference date, at which time you can submit your application to present. Generally, you will only need to provide a short abstract of your research, and possibly a CV or motivation letter. But how should you write your abstract in order to give yourself the best chance of being accepted to give a conference presentation? Here are some guidelines to consider: Giving a talk vs presenting a poster. Often you can specify whether you're applying to give a talk or a poster presentation. Talks are more prestigious, but presenting a poster is useful too – you can get direct feedback from lots of attendees with a poster. It's generally a good idea to apply for both a talk and poster, and see which you get accepted for. New and innovative research. To have the best chance of acceptance, your abstract needs to cover research which is innovative and adds a new or unusual perspective to the work in your field. Results are strongly preferred. While occasionally you might be accepted to present theoretical work at a conference, generally you will have more success if you have already performed an experiment and you have results to share. This is dependent on field, of course, but there is an overall bias towards accepting abstracts which have at least early results. Consider the conference theme. Finally, have a look at the theme or focus of the conference for the upcoming year. Usually there will be a topic or list of topics which the conference is aiming at, and your chances of being accepted to present are much higher if you can find a way to link your research to the theme.
Attending an academic conference is a great way to hear about new research in your field, to network with other researchers, and to present your own work to an engaged audience and receive feedback. Conferences are generally open to anyone from the field who wants to attend, however, you will get much more from the experience (and be much more likely to receive funding for your trip) if you are presenting some of your own research at the conference. But how do you get accepted to present at a conference? Today we're sharing some tips on this topic.
For Students Or Researchers Changing Disciplines: How To Survive The Shift From Economics To Business
Less theory, more practical information The biggest difference between economics and business, whether you're studying or researching, is in terms of the applicability of your subject. Both fields involve the study of companies, markets, and money, but economics focuses on the high-level, abstract concepts involved. Business is much more practically focused. Some people have even gone as far as to describe business as an art, and economics as a science. For an economist starting work in the field of business, this means that you'll have to adapt to new methods and new ways to discuss topics. The focus will be less on “What is this thing, conceptually speaking, and how can we understand it?” and more on “How can we use this thing in a business setting?” As a business student or researcher, you will be expected to produce work which is of immediate practical value. Of course, your arguments still need to be sound and well thought through, but the test of the value of a proposition in business will always be: does it work? This is quite a shift in thinking, especially if you have been in an academic setting for most or all of your career, and you are used to working to more abstract goals. Less big picture, more specific detail Another big difference between the two fields is the scope of what they cover. Economics focuses on large-scale information about international, global markets. Business will focus more on the needs and details of one specific business, and on what knowledge and skills a person would need to start their own business. For an economist embarking on a journey into business studies, this will mean that you will spend much more time on specifics than you have previously. You might be looking at a particular business as a case study, or assessing several local businesses to see what they have in common. You will have to adjust to less overview or 'big picture' thinking, and more on the small changes which can have a big impact on a business. Different personality styles Business and economics tend to be marketed to, and therefore attract, rather different personality types. Economists are often like many academics – the stereotypes of bookish, thoughtful, and a little bit 'head in the clouds' might be applicable here. Businesses teaching, however, seeks out people who are outgoing, confident, and quick at thinking on their feet. If you're moving from economics to business, you don't need to change your whole personality, but you may need to work at making yourself more outgoing. You'll have to get used to meeting people and building networks, to selling your concepts or products confidently, and to selling yourself too! You can practice 'elevator pitches' about yourself and your work, and try out some tips on improving your networking skills. Different career prospects The skills you'll acquire in both business and economics degrees can be applied to many different jobs, but there are some advantages to each for particular positions. While economists are most likely to find employment in roles such as financial analyst, budget analyst, or statistician, those who have studied business will make the most of their skills by working on the day-to-day operations of a business, especially during the start-up phase. You should consider which career path is most appealing to you when deciding while field you should focus on. It's important to remember that having a business degree is not a prerequisite for working in business, and there are few jobs where a degree in economics is essential. On the other hand, economics can be seen by some as more academically rigorous as a university course, and may be preferred by employers who seek out academic credentials.
If you are thinking about moving from the field of economics into business, here are some tips on surviving the shift.
Top Soft Skills To Boost Your Career As An Economist
1.Communication skills In order to really excel in your career, it's not enough for you to know lots of facts and to understand lots of complex ideas – you also have to be able to communicate this knowledge to others. You should work on your oral presentation skills as well as your written work, as you will be asked to present more often as you become more senior. You should also work on the ability to communicate with different audiences – academics, industry people, and lay people all need different approaches, and you should be able to adapt your information to a useful level for each audience. This is particularly true in economics, where there is a huge gulf between the average person's understanding and expert knowledge. Being able to clearly communicate important information to the public about recessions, global economics, and the long-term consequences of economic policies will help you to stand out in your field. 2.Teamwork While academia can often promote a loan wolf approach to research, over your career it is vital for you to be able to work as part of team. You need to be able to take direction from a manager, to cooperate with colleagues, and to give support to more junior workers. This requires you to let go of your ego and to focus on getting the project complete, rather than focusing on what you want to do or what you think is the correct approach. “Difficult to work with” is not something that anyone wants in their reference, so put some effort into improving your teamwork skills. 3.Leadership In addition to working in a team, over your career you will likely need to lead a team in order to be successful. Management is an extremely challenging field, which some people mistakenly believe is easy. Finding the right balance of giving clear instructions while being approachable for your team is tricky! You may also need to manage people from other fields like business, IT, or science, so you need to know how to reach people with these different backgrounds. There are a huge range of books, courses, and other materials on leadership skills, and even if leadership is not your ultimate career goal, it will be useful for you to study the basic principles. 4.People skills Sometimes, very ambitious people can be dismissive of people skills. “I'm brilliant at what I do – why should bother to be nice to people?” But this is a mistake. Every work project and career opportunity is also an interpersonal interaction. Knowing how to speak to people, being able to deal with emotions, looking people in the eye, and making others feel comfortable are all essential skills to make your appear competent and professional. If you're unsure about how to work on your people skills, pick a friend or colleague who you find easy to talk to and observe them in their interactions. How do they talk to others, how do they stand, what do they not do? Try to model these behaviours to make yourself open and approachable, which will benefit you at every stage of your career. 5.Language skills In an increasingly globalised world, language skills have never been more important. Especially if you are working on global economic topics, speaking more than one language can be a real boon to your career and make you stand out from the pack. Obviously, if you specialise in the economics of a particular geographic area, it's useful for you to speak the local language. But there are also languages which will be important for future economic development which everyone could benefit from learning – such as Cantonese, Spanish, Japanese, or Russian.
Hard skills are abilities such as technical skills, programming, or factual knowledge, which can be tested and which generally form the basis for academic assessment. These skills are surely important for you to achieve your career goals. However, there are other important skills which aren't usually taught, but are just as vital for success. They are known as soft skills, and today we're considering some of the soft skills you'll need to distinguish yourself in a career in economics.
Pros of Online Learning Flexibility One of the biggest advantages of online learning is that it is flexible, in terms of the time which is required to complete a course. If you work full- or part-time, and are interested in studying but don't want to leave your job, this is very helpful. You can take just one unit if you have only a little bit of spare time, or more when you have more time. There is also no need to attend classes in a physical location, so you don't need to relocate or set aside time for travelling. This is particularly advantageous for older students who have families and jobs, and for whom moving to attend a university would not be possible. Learn at your own pace One issue that many students struggle with is finding classes which are suited to their pace of learning. In an advanced class, material may be presented in a rapid format which is too dense to follow unless you are very familiar with the topic. On the other hand, introductory courses can feel slow and dull to students who have experience in the subject. Online learning alleviates this by allowing students to choose from a wide range of courses and to work at their own pace. If you need to watch a lecture several times to understand it, you can do this easily with online learning. This is helpful for those who have been outside of the educational system for some time and are not fully confident about returning to it. Check out online courses on INOMICS Wide array of topics and courses A further advantage of online learning is the large number of courses which are available. At most brick and mortar universities, you sign up for a course and then choose your topics from a set list of options. With online learning, you can pursue a number of different topics from different fields. If you are looking for broad learning, if you want to perform interdisciplinary work, or if you haven't yet decided what subject you would like the specialise in, then you can take a number of courses from different subjects. Cons of Online Learning Requires personal discipline and motivation The lack of face to face time between students and lecturers can present a problem for inexperienced students. Online learners must be able to motivate themselves to work, as there will not be other students around to push them. Also, online students have to be proactive about getting support – for example, if there is something mentioned in a lecture which they do not understand, they cannot rely on time after class for discussions with the lecturer or other students, and they must go and ask for help. This is less of a problem for more mature learners who have experience in jobs which require self-motivation. Harder to participate in discussions and social events A big part of the university experience is not just the lectures and coursework, but also the interactions with other students and the social events. Finding other people with similar interests to you and hearing their perspective on your learning material is extremely valuable in helping your learning. These social interactions tend to happen naturally at brick and mortar universities. In online learning, however, it requires more work to arrange these interactions. Most online courses do have some kind of chat or forum for discussions, but learners need to put in the effort to make use of these features. Online degrees can be less reputable Although this is changing as online learning becomes more common, there are still some people who consider online courses to be less rigorous and therefore less reputable than traditional university courses. For students who want to continue on in academia or to attend very prestigious universities in the future, this can be a problem. We hope that this helps you to see whether online learning is right for you!
With the arrival of reliable, high-speed internet, distance learning for university students has become much more feasible. Students can now sign up for single classes or whole courses to be taught online, which may include streaming lectures, live Q&A chats with tutors, and submitting coursework electronically. But how does an online course compare with a traditional course at a brick and mortar university? Today we're looking at both the pros and cons of learning online.
Business English Language Summer Course Organizer: LSE Location: London, UK Details: This three week-programme is designed to improve your confidence in speaking, reading, writing and listening in a business context. The focus will be on the language you need for business activities, and will provide a British perspective for creative discussion. There is also a topic and theme-based syllabus delivered by LSE academic staff and external business practitioners. The timetable's emphasis on collaborative projects and tasks will enable an improvement of key integrated language skills. Regular practice in class will further extend your capabilities in the way you actually use and manipulate business English. Register now English for Business Masters Organizer: The University of Edinburgh Location: Edinburgh, UK Details: English for Business Masters students follow a programme designed to improve your English for use in the business and academic environments. There is an emphasis on the development of both academic writing skills and oral presentation skills with opportunities for both individual and team work. A series of talks by guest speakers and video sessions is programmed to develop listening skills. You will be required to produce several assignments to deadlines - a necessary preparation for the potential English for Business Masters student. Register now English Summer Programme Organizer: The University of Manchester Location: Manchester, UK Details: The English Summer Programme is ideally suited to overseas university students or anyone who wishes to visit the North of England, improve their English language proficiency and have the opportunity to meet other students from around the world. The course is supplemented by a lively evening and weekend social programme. You will study English for 15 hours a week and you will have the opportunity to go on local educational visits and places of cultural interest for the remaining 6 hours. This course is designed for university students and young adults looking for a short programme combining English, culture and social activities. Register now English for Academic Purposes Organizer: University of Toronto Location: Toronto, Canada Details: The English Language Program specializes in preparing students who want to fulfil their academic goals at university or college. It offers full-time intensive programs and part-time courses to students who need to develop their academic English skills. This course is a good fit for you if you have low-intermediate up to advanced level of English. Register now English for BULATS Preparation Organizer: Victoria University Location: Melbourne, Australia Details: English for Business is designed to improve your business vocabulary, knowledge of business conventions and your general English language proficiency. The course will prepare you to study tertiary business courses. It will develop your academic written and spoken communication skills. You will learn about contemporary business scenarios, including company structure, performance and products, marketing and advertising, international business styles, managing people, as well as business cultures, globalisation and business ethics. It will also help you prepare for the Business Language Test Service (BULATS) exam, an internationally recognised business language benchmarking tool. Register now Summer Pre-Sessional Course in English for Academic Purposes Organizer: Oxford University Language Center Location: Oxford, UK Details: If you are coming to study at the University of Oxford or elsewhere, you will be much better equipped to meet the demands of your academic life and do well in your studies if you attend a pre-sessional course. You will also be able to integrate into the social life of a university more easily. The courses will also include general study skills and cultural orientation. This course includes a programme of visits to places of interest. Register now English for Academic Study (EAS) Organizer: University of Brighton Location: Brighton, UK Details: This is a pre-sessional English programme that can be taken up to one academic year before your degree course. You don’t need to have an offer of a degree to apply for this programme, and don’t need to have taken an English language test to apply. The programme is divided into three 10-week stages: Develop Your English, Extend Your English and Consolidate Your English. It is suitable for you if you are an undergraduate, postgraduate or research student. It also prepares you for IELTS, if required. Register now English Language Preparation for University & Academic English Courses Organizer: University of Limerick Location: Limerick, Ireland Details: This nine-week course is designed for students who intend joining a degree programme at the University of Limerick or another English-speaking university. The main objective of the course is to provide students with the language and study skills needed for university course work. It is very suitable for you if you are preparing to sit the IELTS test as a condition of entry to university. It can also help you expand your knowledge of Irish culture. Register now English For Academic Purposes Organizer: University of Michigan Location: Ann Arbor, MI, USA Details: The program offers a six-week intensive English experience to undergraduate and graduate students who already possess strong English skills and who have been accepted to the University of Michigan or another US university for the fall term. This highly interactive program incorporates elements from the ELI’s renowned research-based English for Academic Purposes curriculum. You will learn and practice the specific language skills necessary to participate effectively in an academic setting. You will also learn about the culture of the US university environment in order to transition into full time academic study in the fall. You will gain a wider understanding of the US university system, instructor expectations, and student responsibilities. Register now English for Academic Purposes Organizer: San Diego State University Location: San Diego, CA, USA Details: The English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program is designed for students and professionals at all levels who plan to enter an American college or university at the undergraduate level, need to prepare for the TOEFL and IELTS, want to succeed in the university classroom with native English speakers or intend to study English as their major. Students applying to SDSU undergraduate and graduate degree programs and local community colleges may be eligible to receive a TOEFL waiver after completing advanced levels. Register now
Make the most of your summer break, and sign up for a summer school! You can learn new skills, visit a new place, and meet fellow students with similar interests to you. For those of you who are studying a language like English, summer schools can be especially helpful as they give you lots of opportunities to practise speaking with other learners and experts. If you're considering attending a summer school this year, now is the time to start looking for schools, and we're here to help with this list of the top 10 summer schools for English in 2016. Remember to apply early, as these schools will fill up fast!
Executive Commercial Spanish Course Organizer: Cervantes Location: Malaga, Spain Details: This course is aimed at students or professionals who need to use their Spanish in a business setting. The course is split into 2 parts: theory and practice, and during both parts, the students will use different tools: written materials, specialized publications, audio-visual materials, software applications, Internet, etc. It is taught by highly qualified teachers with extensive experience in teaching Spanish as a foreign language and deep knowledge of the business world. Register now Summer Spanish Courses Organizer: Barcelona University Location: Barcelona, Spain Details: The UAB’s summer courses are offered throughout June, July and August. You can choose between 6 different levels from elementary to proficient. The courses follow the structure of the university’s regular intensive courses, and can be taken individually or combined for an extended program. One course class consist of 6-15 students. During the month of August, optional extra-curricular activities are arranged on Fridays. Register now Summer Spanish Program Organizer: Salamanca University Location: Salamanca, Spain Details: If you are engaged with regular studies in your home country, but at the same time want to take advantage of your summer break to learn Spanish, this course is for you. in Spain. The summer courses are similar in structure to the intensive and semester-long courses. You can choose between 15, 20 or 25 classroom hours per week and four distinct language levels, ranging from complete beginner to advanced speaker. Register now Summer Spanish Program Organizer: Malaga University Location: Malaga, Spain Details: The Summer Semester Course runs from the beginning of July to the end of September. The course is divided into 6 different European Framework levels, from Beginners (A1) to Mastery (C2). Upon arrival students are tested and placed into groups according to their existing level of Spanish, with 9-15 students per class. The first 3 Spanish language levels spend 1-2 hours per day on structured language and grammar learning, and 1-2 hours on practicing Spanish language communication. Students in the 3 most advanced levels have 2-3 daily hours of language and grammar, focusing on perfecting their Spanish language skills, and during the last 1-2 hours per day they attend special culture classes on topics such as Spanish literature, history, cinema, art, geography, economy, commerce, society and politics. The Spanish cultural courses are normally given by professors or lecturers at Malaga University, specialists in their particular subject. Register now Summer Spanish Language + Culture Organizer: CIEE Location: Palma de Mallorca, Spain Details: This course is for you if you’re looking to begin your study of Spanish, or you’re an intermediate to advanced student ready to take your Spanish proficiency to the next level. In Palma you’ll find intensive language instruction, and a rich selection of area studies electives that are supplemented with substantial interactive and experiential components. That means stepping out of the classroom into fieldwork that encourages learning by doing. And homestays, site visits, cultural activities and excursions will provide you with a unique academic and intercultural experience abroad. Register now Spanish Summer Course Organizer: inhispania Location: Madrid, Spain Details: During this summer programme, you can choose between 20- and 30-classes intensive courses. Borth of these programmes can be complemented by a Spanish culture course (+5 classes per week) or with private classes. In Madrid, you will have a multicultural experience, making new friends from all over the world. and you will discover a fantastic city, full of vitality and energy. Register now Spanish Language and Mexican Culture Organizer: Academic Programs International Location: Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico Details: Students who choose to study abroad in Mexico with API attend courses at the Centro Intercultural de Querétaro (CIQ). Students at all levels are welcome to participate in this program, and all classes are taught in Spanish. Spanish language courses have been designed to encourage students to develop basic skills and help beginning, intermediate, and advanced students progress in their Spanish language acquisition, using the language in both real life and in academic situations. Each language course focuses on building vocabulary, practicing speaking and increasing fluency, learning and applying grammatical principles, and improving listening, reading and writing abilities. Register now Spanish Language and Chilean Culture Organizer: The Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso Location: Valparaíso, Chile Details: The Spanish Language and Chilean Culture program is a 5-week summer program totaling 90 contact hours (usually 6 US credits, depending on the home university's transfer policy). Spanish language classes are small, personalized, and offered from the beginning to advanced levels. Every student enrolls in 2 courses. Minimum prerequisite to join the course is a sophomore-level status. Students should also have some previous contact with the language. Register now Summer Language and Culture Program Organizer: Academic Programs International Location: Havana, Cuba Details: Beginning-level students have two options for this summer. The first option is to take a Spanish language course for 60 hours, and then take 30 hours of Cuban cultural topics (taught in English). The second option for beginning-level students, which is also available for students through the advanced-level, is to take a Spanish language course (at their appropriate level) for 80 hours of intensive language study and 10 hours of cultural topics and activities for a total of 6 semester credits. Finally, advanced and superior-level students may elect to take a course in “Rhetoric and Composition: The Cuban Experience” that consists of 65 hours of intensive language instruction and writing activities, and 10 hours of cultural seminars for a total of 5 semester credits. Minimum enrollment is required for this course to be offered. Register now Business Spanish in Bogota Organizer: Spanish World Institute Location: Bogota, Colombia Details: This spanish course is ideal for people who study business or work in a job that requires a good level of Spanish. This is an intensive spanish course which can be taught in group or private, depending on the number of students enrolled. In the morning the students develop general skills, while in the afternoon they focus on Spanish for business. The course develops negotiation workshops, case studies and role plays in marketing, finances, and general management. Register now
If you're a student and you'd like the chance to refine your language skills, to travel to a new place, and to enhance your CV, then you should consider attending a summer school. The opportunity to study and acquire specialist skills over the summer is useful for everyone, but especially for students of languages! For those who are studying Spanish, here we've compiled a list of the best summer schools for 2016. You'll have lots of opportunities to practise your speaking skills, as well as to brush up on your grammar and cultural knowledge.
Today we're looking at how specialists from various fields might find employment within the energy sector, and what their roles would be. If you have specialist skills and you're looking to move into or start a career in an important emerging global field, then read on for more information. 1. Engineering Energy engineering focuses on the development and maintenance of technologies which are related to energy efficiency, environmental compliance, and alternative energy technologies. Engineers in the energy sector may specialise in drilling and petroleum, in nuclear power, in solar and/or wind energy, or in electrical systems. There is a particularly large demand for specialists in alternative energy solutions, as these are becoming more and more relevant as the availability of oil drops and prices rise. Many countries have governmental schemes which offer financial incentives to businesses which take up more environmentally friendly energy systems, so there are career opportunities for energy engineers in many large companies. 2. Economics As engineers develop the new energy technologies that will become available on the market, energy economists are required to analyse how these new technologies will affect supply and demand in the energy industry. Looking at factors such as the methods and efficiency of energy production, distribution and consumption, economists play an important role in predicting and shaping future energy trends. Jobs for energy economists can be in both governmental agencies and private businesses, which are looking to maintain energy resources. Roles within this field can include policy analysis, product research, or economic research, all of which are expected to grow in importance in future years. Find your perfect job on INOMICS: 3. Law Wherever there is new policy being written, there will be a need for lawyers to detail the regulatory aspects of energy production and consumption. There are opportunities for lawyers to work in the energy industry, for example on issues such as working through the rules and regulations for energy efficiency which companies must comply to in order to be eligible for governmental incentive programs. Within the public sector, many law-related positions are required for the creation and interpretation of regulation. Notable for this industry is that there are a larger than average number of law-related positions for which a law degree is advantageous but not necessarily essential. So there are opportunities for experts in a different aspect of energy management to move into law work. 4. Energy Management Those with a background in environmental management, or in surveying or architecture, may find roles in energy management. This field involves the evaluation of energy use; specifically in the planning or improving projects so as to maximise their energy efficiency. One issue is that there are relatively few vacancies for energy management positions, as companies or organisations will often have just one person or a very small department for this work, and so competition can be intense. However, this is definitely an area of work which will expand and become even more important in the future, so there is a lot of potential for growth if you can gain the relevant skills and experience. With so many new energy technologies emerging and being developed and refined, the energy industry is truly dynamic and fast-paced and will only continue to become more important over the next years. If you're interested in getting into the energy sector on the ground floor, you could consider an undergraduate degree in energy engineering or a related field, which are now becoming more common at universities. You can find a list of the top departments for energy engineering in various countries, as well as lots of further information on careers in the energy industry and other emerging industries.
As businesses and individuals become more aware of climate change and environmental issues, a stronger focus is being put on the ways in which we use resources – especially energy. A whole industry has grown which supports the production and management of energy resources, as well as advising companies on how they can become more energy-efficient. With the growth of this industry, new career paths have opened up from many fields which are related to energy research or consumption.
Economic Development, Innovation and Growth (JEL O)
Top Upcoming Economics & Business Events 2016/2017
May 2016 Progressive Economy Annual Forum 2016: Investment & Innovation at the Heart of European Recovery Organizer: Progressive Economy Initiative, S&D Group in the European Parliament Conference Date: May 31, 2016 Location: Brussels, Belgium June 2016 2nd International Conference of Development and Economy (ICODECON) Organizer: Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of Peloponnese Conference Dates: June 9-12, 2016 Location: Thessaloníki, Greece August 2016 Ninth Asia-Pacific Conference on Global Business, Economics, Finance and Banking Organizer: J.A. Alpha Business Research and Publishers Pvt. Ltd. Conference Dates: Aug 11-13, 2016 Location: Hong Kong September 2016 Economics, Economic Policies and Sustainable Growth in the wake of the Crisis Organizer: Università Politecnica delle Marche Conference Dates: Sep 8-10, 2016 Location: Ancona, Italy Call for papers Research Conference - The Rise of Eurasia: New Perspectives on East-West Business and Economic Relations Organizer: Maastricht School of Management Conference Date: Sep 9, 2016 Location: Maastricht, Netherlands October 2016 17th International Scientific Conference on Economic and Social Development - "Managerial Issues in Modern Business" Organizer: Varazdin Development and Entrepreneurship Agency Conference Dates: October 20-21, 2016 Location: Warsaw, Poland November 2016 The Review of Socio-Economic Perspectives (RSEP) Organizer: RSEP Conference Dates: Nov 2-4, 2016 Location: Madrid, Spain 8th ReCapNet Conference on Behavioural Real Estate Organizer: Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) Conference Dates: Nov 3-4, 2016 Location: Mannheim, Germany International Trade & Academic Research Conference (ITARC) Organizers: Academy of Business and Retail Management (ABRM), UK and Journal of Business and Retail Management Research Conference Dates: November 7-8, 2016 Location: London, UK 20th European Scientific Conference of Doctoral Students Organizer: Faculty of Business and Economics - Mendel University in Brno Conference Date: November 24, 2016 Location: Brno, Czech Republic January 2017 Current Trends In Public Sector Research Organizer: The Department of Public Economics in the Faculty of Economics and Administration at Masaryk University Conference Dates: January 19-20, 2017 Location: Šlapanice, Czech Republic April 2017 Third WINIR Symposium - The legacy of Ludwig Lachmann: Interdisciplinary perspectives on institutions, agency and uncertainty Organizer: WINIR Conference Dates: April 11-13, 2017 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
To keep up to date with the latest news in economics and business, there's more that you can do than just reading! Events such as lectures, workshops, and debates are excellent ways to keep up with developments in your field. Plus, they give you the chance to meet and network with other people in your field and to hear new perspectives on your work. If you're interested in attending events in economics or finance, then today's article is a list of some of the greatest events coming up soon from around the world.
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Economics?
The big divide: Academia or Industry? The options for career paths after the master's can be divided in two arenas: roles within academia, and roles in industry or the public sector. There are advantages and disadvantages of each – in industry, for example, the pay tends to be better, whilst jobs in academia are more focused on pure research. But what is the typical divide between these two options among those who have completed a master's in economics? As a case study, we can look at the data from the Barcelona Graduate School of Economics, who released a report on the destination jobs of their economics master's class of 2015. They found that 72% of graduates who had been placed entered or returned to jobs in industry, while 28% of graduates entered a PhD or other post-graduate program. Academic positions for economics graduates Compared to the data from last year (the Barcelona GSE class of 2014), there are more graduates entering industry – last year 68% went into industry, and 32% pursued further study. Generally, in tough economic times, graduates can feel attracted by the security and solid pay of industry jobs, while being put off by the insecurity of academic careers. One interesting finding, however, points to the successful path to a PhD – of those moving into doctoral programs, around half of Barcelona 2015 graduates went into international programs, in the United States, the United Kingdom, or other international institutions. The ability and willingness to move to a new location can help graduates to find PhD positions in highly regarded institutions. You can see more about the career prospects of PhDs, including the average salary for PhD students in various locations around the world, in our INOMICS 2015 Salary Report. Where Class of 2015 grads are pursuing doctoral study 24 graduates joined one of two PhDs organized with Barcelona GSE Graduate Programme in Economics, Finance, and Management - GPEFM (UPF and BGSE) International Doctorate in Economic Analysis - IDEA (UAB and BGSE) 5 graduates joined programs at universities in the United States Columbia University Indiana University Stanford University University of Rochester University of Virginia 4 graduates joined programs in the United Kingdom London School of Economics University of Leeds University of Leicester University of Warwick 12 graduates joined programs at other institutions around the world such as: Ifo Institute for Economic Research Sao Paulo School of Economics (FGV) Singapore Management University University of Zurich Credit: Barcelona GSE Industry positions for economics graduates For those economics master's graduates who choose to go into industry or the public sector, what kinds of institutions do they end up working in? Two of the most popular employers, according to the Barcelona GSE survey, are consulting firms and the financial services industry. Around a quarter of graduates end up in each of these industries (26% in consulting firms and 25% in financial services; up from 21% in consulting firms and 23% in financial services last year). A further 19% of graduates took up non-PhD jobs in research or academic institutions – in roles like research assistant or data scientist. Other options for the employment of economics graduates were working for the government or public sector (9% of this years' graduates), international organisations and non-profits (10%), and other industries like the media or aviation (11%). Notably, there was a large drop in the number of graduates entering roles in international organisations and non-profits, down from 18% last year. Jobs in non-profits can be both very competitive and poorly paid, so some graduates will be put off from entering such roles, especially in times of economic recession. Professional placements by industry Examples of employers hiring Barcelona GSE graduates in the Class of 2015 Most common job titles were: Research Assistant, Trainee, Analyst, Consultant, Associate, and Data Scientist. Credit: Barcelona GSE Some of the top locations for employment were Brussels, Madrid, Berlin, and Washington, DC, in addition to Barcelona, once again showing the value of graduates being willing to move to a new location after completing their master's degree. We hope that this information has helped you see some of the career options which are open to you if you pursue a master's degree in economics!
If you're thinking about doing a master's degree in economics, or you're already studying for one, then you're sure to be interested in the job prospects for economics students. What kind of job can you get with a master's in economics, and in what kind of organisations do graduates end up working? We covered this issue last year, but now we've got new data on the employment of economics students for this year, so we're sharing an updated perspective. Read on to find out more about the kinds of careers which are open to those who have studied a master's in economics.
Tips on How to Write an Academic Peer Review for Journals
Get a feel for the field If you've been asked to perform a peer review, hopefully it is in a field that you are familiar with. However, the paper you are reviewing may be in a different sub-field or use different methods to the ones you that work with. So be prepared to do some research around the topic of the paper, so that you can understand how it fits into the broader literature. If there's an important paper in the field which is not mentioned in the paper, you can suggest that the authors include this reference. Or if a similar issue has been researched in earlier years, you can suggest that the authors mention this previous debate. Make sure you're comfortable with your knowledge of the topic before you start your review. Check statistical methods, tables, and graphs One of the most important functions of peer review is checking over the data in the paper – in terms of both how it is analysed and how it is presented. Make sure that you understand the statistical tests which are used, and consider if they are the best ways to test the hypothesis of the paper. If important data is missing, such as effect sizes, then suggest that this is added in. Also carefully check graphs and tables to make sure that they are correctly labelled and that they are in accordance with the way that the authors have described their data. Are the inferences drawn by the authors in the discussion reasonable, given the data? Check references Another important task for peer reviewers is the checking of references. This is something which general readers are unlikely to do, so it's especially important for reviewers to pay attention to. When you see the authors assert a fact and back it up with a reference, go and find the paper being referenced and check whether the authors' summation of it is reasonable. This is also a good time to check whether the references are complete and formatted correctly. Make your feedback specific and constructive The best peer reviews are not combative towards the authors, but rather constructive. They provide helpful information on how to make the paper better. The key to helpful feedback is to give specific, actionable suggestion for improvements. So, for a reviewer to say “I find this argument unconvincing” is not very helpful. But a reviewer who writes that “This argument is unconvincing because it does not address this specific important issue, and it would be better to refer to this debate in this context” is much better. Where possible, don't just point out problems with the paper, but also suggest ways in which the paper could be improved. Follow instructions, and submit on time Peer reviewing is one of those tasks which everyone agrees is very important, but often gets shoved aside when people are busy. Do read all of the instructions which the editor sends you, and take particular note of the due dates. Returning your reviews on time will be greatly appreciated by the editors and authors and marks you out as a professional. Also, remember to be considerate about confidentiality. You shouldn't discuss the contents of a manuscript or your review of it with anyone outside of the editorial process. And you should not use the ideas in the work you are reviewing in your own papers until the reviewed paper is published. Be aware of your own biases Naturally, you'll approach a peer review with your own opinions and perspective, based on your expertise in the field. But you should try to remain as objective as you can when reviewing. Don't reject a paper just because it uses a different method or has a different view from yours, and certainly don't let your personal feelings about the authors cloud your judgement. Be aware of your own biases and try to overcome them to review the work fairly.
Peer review is one of the cornerstones of academic progress, and it's vital that papers are reviewed by a knowledgeable party before they are published, in order to maintain quality. You see lots of advice for authors of papers, but rather less for peer reviewers. If you've been asked to review a paper, here are some tips on how to do a great job and to provide a review which is helpful to the editors and authors.
Meet Guilherme: a Master’s Student in Economics at Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil
Guilherme agreed on sharing his study experience with us. We are happy to publish his interview here. What did motivate you to visit INOMICS and take part in the contest? Will the prize contribute to your academic development? A classmate told me about INOMICS as we were searching for courses and scholarships in several countries. I found out about the contest on the website itself and I decided to take part. The prize will be useful for acquiring important books for my current study and research. What did encourage you to pursue your Master's? I decided to do my Master’s because I plan to follow the academic career. UFRJ is a good university in my country and is formed by some nationally and internationally recognized professors. The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro – here Guilherme is doing his Master’s Credit: Fulviusbsas What specialization did you choose and why? I decided to focus on Macroeconomics, since it is a research field that interacts with those most important issues in the economy. Also, this is a field full with divergences and debate, which presents posibilities for a curious scientist. Which channels do you use for gaining reputation in the academic world? I usually receive an actualization each week by email. Then I review the changes and new opportunities offered in my area. How do you see your future academic career? Which positions are you aiming at and where would you like to work? I would like to work as a professor in Brazil. Which tips would you give to other Master's students? I would advice them to stay informed on opportunities and courses that can improve their abilities and help with their research. Also, they should be patient, since it is a fase of hard work with few immediate results. Finally, the usual tip is to maintain their discipline! Is the INOMICS platform useful for you? What do you use it for? INOMICS has been quite useful, since information about courses, universitites and scholarships is usually hard to access. This is especially true when it comes to the quantity of information one can obtain on INOMICS. We are glad that we can help Guilherme in making his career decisions and contribute to his academic development. We wish him a lot of success in achieving his goals. ➲ Were you inspired by Guilherme's story? We encourage you to check INOMICS regularly so you will not miss any interesting study programs and courses in your discipline. ➲ Do you want to help other INOMICS users in choosing their university for their studies or work? Find your institution here and leave your review! ➲ Would you also like to share your experience in academia with other students or researchers? Write to us at media@inomics.com. We will be happy to hear your story!
Guilherme Morlin is a Brazilian currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Economics at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Guilherme is also our lucky winner of $100 Amazon Gift Card in the recent INOMICS Review Prize Draw. Students and researchers from all over the world took part in the contest by submitting reviews of the universities and institutions where they study or work.
The value of diversity resides on new ideas, creativity and innovation. To ensure the success of your international team, you should work towards inclusion, where every single member feels valued and integrated in the organization, mission, vision and strategy. When professors, students and administration members feel appreciated, they are more willing to generate ideas and make resources available for innovation and growth. There is no magic bullet or golden rule that will keep your team members happy - everything depends on the culture of your organization or university. But properly assessing the characteristics of your team will help you considerably. Focus groups, interviews and surveys are at your disposal to draw good conclusions in this endeavour. Some other good practices that will lead to success in your diversity team include: Recognise and respect the cultural differences of your team members: In an international team you will often face multiple interpretations of the same issue. While some of your team members understand a situation as normal, others can experience it as stressful. It is always worth getting to know your team members as well as possible in order to avoid miscommunication in the words and body language that you use, or even confusion as a result of workflows that to you might seem standard, but to others may be very foreign. Design processes to make your employees or students feel welcome: A new employee or student from a completely different cultural background needs to feel accepted. Make the first day of the new team member an important event and alert current employees about the new team member. Create mentor groups: Assigning a local mentor to people from different cultural backgrounds will make them feel comfortable and supported. Create a free space to share ideas and take them into account: Problem solving comes in different shapes in different cultures; so let your institution absorb the new ideas and approaches from people from other backgrounds. Use benchmarking: Other institutions have successfully reached a diverse multicultural environment - let them teach you and provide you with new ideas. Provide communication training for your employees and students: Whether communication coaching, language courses or assertiveness, being able to communicate messages properly will help your people blend into your workplace community Build up a strong leadership program inside your institution: Avoid all types of cultural bias about the styles and characteristics of a leader; the challenge is to enable each team member to become an effective leader matching their own cultural mindset. Listen to your people: Make use of surveys and interviews to determine the needs of different employees and students. Only then can you develop a strategic retention plan for your diverse talent. Focus on building trust in your team: The most basic way in which you can ensure trust in your team is by setting up good communication channels (intranet, posters, emails, social media groups, etc.) Make sure that your team members understand each other clearly, regardless of the ways that their background influences their behaviour and non-verbal communication. By organizing team-building activities, you will provide a space outside your institution to socialize and learn from each other. Managing a multicultural team of employees and students may be a signficant challenge but it also promises a big reward in terms of experience and learning. At INOMICS we are happy to support your recruitment activities and to provide you with tips for the effective management of your international talent. Please feel free to write to us at info@inomics.com if you are interested in knowing more about us, our research initiatives in the recruitment industry and the advertising opportunities for your institution. We will be happy to work with you to attract the best candidates for your institution.
Managing a multicultural team can be exciting and challenging. While employers might know what to expect from employees with the same background as them, a multicultural team demands more time and dedication since not all management and motivation techniques will work the same way with all team members. Last month we talked about diversity recruitment and how to hire multicultural talent for institutions. In this article we will address different suggestions that will help you keep your employees and students engaged.