Economics
New kid on the block – inflation
You must have lived through the 1970s or 1980s or lived in one of the less stable parts of the world to have any first-hand experience of serious inflation – that is generally rising prices beyond the 2-ish per cent we are used to. For the first time in a generation, the Covid-19 pandemic has made policymakers and financial markets worried about inflation, with the hugely supportive fiscal and monetary policy responses to the pandemic and various supply shortages potentially fuelling inflation now as the world economy recovers. In Crossing a line – Is inflation a threat to central bank independence? we explore some of the big macroeconomic policy challenges facing central banks today.
Strategic Career Development – when is it time to move on in your career?
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and German football team coach Joachim Löw are both retiring this year. They share many things in common: both have enjoyed successful careers in high profile, high stakes roles. But what is equally remarkable and nearly unheard of at this level is that Merkel and Löw both managed to stay in their positions for over 15 years and were able to choose the date of their own departures – they were not voted or ‘kicked’ out. How do you time your own career moves? What are the signs that you have outstayed your current position and that it might be about time to seek new challenges? When is the right time to stay where you are and continue to develop in post?
Big challenges require big solutions
How to support startups in an increasingly competitive world? In the May 2021 edition of the Global Solutions Journal (pages 161-168) Jake Benford from the Bertelsmann Stiftung and Frank Eich from economicsense argue that Europe’s scope for shaping the future – technologically as much as culturally in the global information age – will ultimately depend on its ability to generate disruptive innovation. Lacking the large-scale funding available in the US for example, Benford and Eich find that European startups could maximise their impact by focusing more on purpose than scale.
The green and blue recovery post Covid
Ahead of the G7 summit in Cornwall, the British Chambers of Commerce South West, in collaboration with the University of Plymouth, organised a conference on the challenges and opportunities of the green and blue economy post Covid. Oceans do not only cover the majority of the earth’s surface, but they are also an important part of our ecosystems and will play a major role in our effort to tackle climate change. Representing the British Chamber of Commerce in Germany, economicsense’s Frank Eich offered his views on what role the financial markets with their increasing focus on ESG criteria – environment, social and governance – might play in helping businesses embrace a green and blue future. See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQQQXTCMKLo&t=134s
Upcoming events and courses
All economicsense courses are currently delivered online. The courses are interactive, fun and you can learn from the comfort and safety of your own home.
Economics for non-economists
9.30am–12pm 5th, 6th and 7th July 2021
This course provides an accessible overview of economics. Topics include market structure and competition, market failure and government failure. At the economy-wide level we will discuss growth, fiscal policy, and monetary policy. A special section on trade is particularly useful for understanding the UK’s new trade arrangements outside the EU. To book: Economics for non-economists.
An Overview of Cost Benefit Analysis
15th July 2021
This course provides an introductory overview for economists of current issues in cost-benefit analysis (CBA). The course begins by revisiting the context and foundations of CBA before moving to topics of interest to practitioners, including non-market valuation, discounting, distributional analysis, and summary measures. The course will be led by Catherine Connolly with Ken Warwick joining the second half of the course for a focused session on Regulatory Impact Assessment. This course is run by SPE Courses – To book click here.
Cost-benefit analysis for non-economists
9.30am–12pm 13th, 14th and 15th September 2021
Ideal for government analysts (outside economics), and policy and finance professionals who are involved in preparing and reviewing business cases and impact assessments. The course will give participants the skills to critique CBA analysis quickly and effectively. To book: Cost benefit analysis for non-economists.
Introduction to Green Finance
9am-1pm 7th October 2021
This course gives participants an understanding of what Green Finance is, why it matters, and what the future might hold. Course participants will learn how financial markets function, who the key stakeholders are, and become familiar with concepts such as stranded assets, green bonds or ESG investing. No prior knowledge of economics or financial markets is required. To book: Intro to Green Finance.