If you’re applying for a European-style economics PhD or Master’s of Research program, it’s highly likely that you’ll be asked to submit a research proposal. This is a document where you’ll describe the original research project you intend to pursue if you’re accepted into the economics program.This is going to be a fairly intense process. While not legally binding, this document is a major part of your application, and it’s extremely important to write a convincing and high-quality proposal. Giving yourself as much time as possible to work on it can only help you.However, if you’re applying to PhDs for the first time, this is also most likely your first time writing an economics research proposal. So, what to do?

Whether you want to learn about a new topic, to brush up on your skills, or to meet more people in your economics field, summer schools are an ideal opportunity for you. Many reputable universities run intensive but stimulating summer courses that give students the chance to increase their academic standing.

If you're looking to choose an economics PhD program, it's important to consider options that match your research interests, career goals, and personal goals. Below is a selection of some of the best PhD programs in economics that are offered by European universities, to help you find the right postgraduate program for you.

There are many paths to preparing for an economics PhD. Most students apply for PhD programs soon after finishing their Master’s degree. Some even apply directly after their Bachelor’s degree. Others work first, for example as a research assistant before applying.There are benefits to all of these approaches, and depending on your academic accomplishments and personal goals, some paths may suit you better than others. In this article we look in depth at the merits of a Masters of Research (MRes) as an option for PhD hopefuls. We also compare the MRes path with a direct application for a PhD after your studies, or with a year or two of work experience before applying for a PhD.

We examine the redistributive effects of Bitcoin in a theoretical scenario where its price continuously appreciates. Early adopters benefit from rising consumption and asset accumulation at the expense of later investors, who fund Bitcoin purchases by liquidating real assets and reducing their consumption. The analysis reveals that even in the absence of a crash, Bitcoin causes wealth redistribution that enriches early investors while reducing the real wealth and purchasing power of non-holders and latecomers. This dynamic, if unaddressed, risks eroding societal cohesion. Amid a record high market capitalization of USD 1.8 trillion following the 2024 election in the USA, this risk is higher than ever.

The 2024 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, more commonly known as the Nobel Prize in Economics, has been awarded to three influential economists this year - Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, and James Robinson. The prize – worth 11 million Swedish crowns, or about $1 million or roughly €950,000 – was awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for their ‘studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity’ (Ricciuti), providing critical insights into why some countries achieve higher per capita incomes and others struggle with persistent economic challenges. Their work also emphasizes the importance of establishing robust institutions to support sustainable economic growth and social stability.

The holiday season is coming and Christmas is just around the corner. If you want to avoid buying presents for the holidays in a panic, you had better get to planning the gifts you'll be giving.

Staying informed on economic trends, policies, and research is key to gaining valuable insights into the ever-changing global economy. Whether you're an economics student, educator, or enthusiast, exploring different viewpoints is essential. Economics bloggers and podcasters come in all forms—some are academics like Gregory Mankiw and Paul Krugman, while others are insightful thought leaders like John Cochrane and Tyler Cowen. Their expertise spans from real estate to public policy and macroeconomic trends.

Employability is a key concern for students, educators and employers in the UK. Indeed, many students want to see employability playing a bigger role in their courses. One way in which universities can foster graduate employability is through work-based learning (WBL) programmes, such as work placements.

Almost everyone has heard of Pokémon: it’s the highest-grossing media franchise in the world1. The core concept is also familiar to most people – in the Pokémon world, quasi-magical creatures live alongside people in idyllic, family-friendly harmony. 

Imagine this: you're trying to solve a complex puzzle where every piece represents a different facet of economic performance. Now, imagine that the shape of some of these pieces are influenced by the quality of the institutions in place—things like governance, legal frameworks, and anti-corruption measures. As it turns out, the fit of these pieces can make or break the overall picture of economic growth. Institutions, in this sense, are not just background players; they are fundamental to how the economic puzzle comes together.

The Sustainable Development Goals advocate ensuring universal access to clean and affordable energy by 2030, prompting a global push toward transitioning from unclean energy sources to cleaner alternatives. In response, Ghana has subsidized the cost of clean energy; however, the financial burden of this transition remains substantial for households. The role of household asset accumulation in facilitating this transition has been underexplored in existing literature; examples include Kafle and Dean (2015) and Ansong (2015). Utilizing logistic and instrumental variables (IV) regression methods along with data from the Ghana Living Standards Survey (round 6 & 7), I investigated how durable asset accumulation influences households' choice of cooking fuels in the research paper "The Nexus Between Household Durable Asset Accumulation And Household Cooking Fuel Choice in a Developing Country".

Attending university can be a ton of fun, but it’s also supposed to prepare you for the next stage in your career. Normally, this involves a lot of studying. But breaks and hobbies are important to have, too.

In today’s world, the discipline of economics finds itself at an inflection point. The mainstream orthodoxy, often criticised for being made up of half-truths, is starting to unravel. As a result, a transformative shift is happening.

Is it possible to reinvigorate under-developed regions by turning the public’s penchant for gambling into a force for economic growth? That is one of the questions asked by labor policy economist Luigino Giliberto in his debut book, Athena’s Reasons (currently offered in Italian). The book details a model of regional economic growth that aims to reinvigorate Italy’s less developed areas, inspired by the ancient Greek goddess Athena.