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. 

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.

Been meaning to brush up on your econometric skills, not got round to it, and now worried you won't be able to due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic? No fear - there's plenty of studying you can do from the comfort of your own home online. While nothing beats face-to-face interaction between student and teacher, online courses have other advantages, not least being that you can study when you want and at your own pace.

The job market for economics postdoc jobs in the United States is highly seasonal. The primary recruitment phase for post-doc positions closes every year in February or March. It is therefore best to plan your econ job search early and apply well in advance of the deadline.

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.”

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.

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. 

Many people who are already years or decades into their careers find themselves wanting to build upon their skillsets and expand their professional qualifications. Perhaps they want to make a career change, feel stuck in a mid-level position but lack the qualifications necessary for advancement, or perhaps they are just interested in gaining new knowledge but don’t have the time or means to head back to school. In the past, people in such situations could enroll in evening or weekend courses at community centers or continuing education departments at local universities.

Anyone working as an economist, mathematician, management consultant or researcher is likely to be dealing with numbers on a regular basis. Whether to refute claims, inform decisions or to build evidence to support one’s case, a good command of figures is essential for many professions. In other words, one cannot escape learning and using statistics!