The word "model" is used a lot in discussions about economics. However, economics courses often don’t spend a lot of time defining the word or what exactly it means. Rather, students usually end up piecing together their idea of what models are after learning several specific examples (such as the Solow-Swan or OLG models).This article fills in the gap by discussing the fundamentals of models and how they’re used in economics. There are many similarities between the myriad models utilized in the field, including common use cases and common assumptions. Understanding these commonalities will help you use and interpret economic models effectively, avoid misconceptions, and identify when these models are not necessarily relevant or useful.

Publishing journal articles in economics can be slow and challenging, and effective peer review plays a critical role in shaping the efficiency and fairness of the process. Despite its importance, many researchers receive little guidance on how to be a constructive peer reviewer. In this article, I provide advice on how to approach peer review thoughtfully and professionally, with the goal of improving the experience for both authors and reviewers. 

Victoria Vanasco is a Senior Researcher at CREI (Centre de Recerca en Economia Internacional) in Barcelona, Spain, as well as Adjunct Professor at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) and and Affiliated Professor at Barcelona School of Economics.As a newly tenured economist, she talks to Christopher Nash, Managing Director of INOMICS, about her career path. For readers currently working in academia with an ambition to achieve tenure, her experience offers valuable insight.

IntroductionAcademic advising refers to the process where appointed members of staff provide academic guidance, information signposting and other relevant non-academic forms of support to students to help promote their success and improve their overall higher education experience (Medernach, 2018).Its role has long been recognised as crucial for supporting students, especially those from under-represented minorities (Smith et al, 2009; Young-Jones et al, 2013).While practices across the UK and Europe appear similar in their foundations, the diverse nature of student cohorts suggests some different institutional priorities.At the university of Exeter, taking into account these different approaches, we introduced a handbook for academic advisors in the Economics Department. Here we share our experience. 

AI tools have become widespread since news of ChatGPT-3.5 prompted me, in early 2023, to make an OpenAI account. I remember sitting in a coffee shop, sipping on a latte, and holding a half-dozen “conversations” with the newly released model.I asked it a series of math questions. I asked it about politics and about poetry. I asked it to write me a short story. I even asked it questions about niche topics like Settlers of Catan to see if it “understood” strategy in the context of a game. And, of course, I asked it about economics.

With Valentine’s Day approaching, it's intriguing to explore the economics of love—how much we spend, why we do it, and whether it’s worth the investment. Romance, like any market, operates on supply, demand and consumer behaviour with prices fluctuating based on cultural expectations and economic conditions. Valentine’s Day traces its origins to ancient Rome, where the festival of Lupercalia on Feb 13-15 celebrated fertility and matchmaking. Later, it was linked to Saint Valentine, a priest who secretly performed marriages against Emperor Claudius II’s orders and was executed on February 14, 269 AD. By the 14th century, poets like Geoffrey Chaucer romanticised the day, associating it with courtship. By the 19th century, mass-produced Valentine’s cards became popular, evolving into today’s global celebration of love, marked by gifts, flowers, and heartfelt gestures1.

Imagine waking up to a sunrise in Bali, working from a café in Lisbon, and closing your laptop for a hike in Medellín—all in the same year. Welcome to the life of a digital nomad. Digital nomadism is more than a lifestyle; it’s a transformative shift in how people approach work. Digital nomads are professionals who leverage technology to work remotely while travelling the globe, free from the constraints of a fixed office. This trend has gained massive momentum, driven by advances in communication tools, globalisation, and the COVID-19 pandemic, which normalised remote work across industries. The numbers back this up. According to Upwork, 36.2 million Americans will be working remotely by 2025—a staggering 87% increase from pre-pandemic levels(1). Buffer’s 2023 State of Remote Work report revealed that 91% of respondents have a positive experience with working remotely with 1% being dissatisfied and 8% feeling neutral. 98% of remote workers would recommend it to others (2). These trends show that technology and shifting work-life balance priorities are reshaping what it means to “have a job.”

Men have long dominated economics, but female economists have made remarkable contributions in recent decades. The work of female economists, together with that of their male counterparts, has redefined academic and policy landscapes and paved the way for greater inclusivity within the discipline. Women continue to bring diverse perspectives that enrich our understanding of global financial systems, economic growth, labour dynamics, and policy interventions. These women are not only changing the economic landscape but inspiring future generations to follow in their footsteps. Here are some of the voices we should all be listening to.

Food lies at the heart of Christmas celebrations around the globe. Whether it’s tamales steaming in Mexican kitchens, turkey roasting in American ovens, or spiced mulled wine warming hands in Germany, the holiday season sparks a global surge in demand for traditional foods. This demand doesn’t just shape family traditions—it drives agriculture, small businesses, and supply chains worldwide. Let’s explore how festive feasts influence the economies of countries like the UK, Mexico, Germany, and more.

In an ever-evolving global economy, staying informed is more crucial than ever. Whether you are an economics student, a finance professional, or just curious, podcasts are a great way to learn. They help you understand economic trends, theories, and real-world applications easily and engagingly. So, we’ve assembled a list of some top economic podcasts you ought to have a listen to. You can find all these podcasts on Amazon, Spotify, and Apple Music. For your convenience, we’ve linked their web pages below. Happy listening!