Beyond The Optimising Agent

Summer School in Advanced Methods for Economics and Political Economy

University of Greenwich, London, 5 – 9 June 2023

This summer school provides advanced training in methods for Economics and Political Economy with practical applications. It focusses on theoretical and empirical methods beyond constrained optimisation that capture features such as uncertainty, instability, complexity, institutions, and historical change. In this way, the school provides methods that receive less attention in standard economics programmes but are essential to analyse real-world issues such as financial cycles, climate change, income and wealth inequality, and much more.

What will be covered?
The school covers both analytical foundations in the form of lectures as well as applications in the form of hands-on computer-lab exercises and interactive group work. A variety of different methods are introduced, both quantitative and qualitative (see programme here). Concrete applications illustrate how participants can apply these methods in their own research.

Who can participate?
The summer school is targeted at PhD students (or PGRs) and Early Career Researchers (up to 3 years since completion of PhD). In exceptional cases, we will also consider applications from postgraduate students.

Organising Team and Support
The summer school is jointly organised by the Institute of Political Economy, Governance, Finance and Accountability (PEGFA) at the University of Greenwich and the Department of Economics at the University of Leeds. We are grateful for financial support from the Young Scholar Initiative (YSI) at the Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET).

• Coordinator Greenwich: Rafael Wildauer (r.wildauer@gre.ac.uk)
• Coordinator Leeds: Karsten Kohler (k.kohler@leeds.ac.uk)

How to apply
Send a CV and a 1-page motivation letter (covering, e.g., research interests / PhD topic, supervisors if applicable, methods used, and how you would benefit from attending) to beyondoptimization@gmail.com. We will notify successful candidates by 12 April 2023.

Costs

• Participation fee with accommodation (5 nights, Avery Hill Campus): GBP 150
• Participation fee without accommodation: GBP 80
• Lunch and coffee will be provided.

Tickets with accommodation include a room in the student accommodation at Avery Hill Campus, including breakfast. Each room includes a single bed, desk and a sink. Toilets and showers are separate but shared between 5 rooms which also share a communal kitchen. Avery Hill campus is a 40min bus ride away from Greenwich Campus, where all sessions will take place. See details about Avery Hill Campus here.

Deadlines

• Application deadline: 5 April
• Acceptance notification: 12 April
• Registration and payment: 30 April