About this day
For A-level and IB Economics students
Join us this autumn for a dynamic, thought-provoking day at Economics in Action! Through engaging discussions, interactive sessions, and real-world case studies, students will uncover the forces shaping our world – from microeconomics to global markets.
Our inspiring speakers including industry leaders, top academics, and policymakers, will share cutting-edge insights and real-world experiences, bringing economics to life like never before.
A special exam success session will equip students with expert strategies to boost confidence and performance. With live polls, quizzes, and plenty of chances to engage with speakers, this is far more than just a lecture – it’s an experience!
Host: Matthew Pritchard (Science Communicator) Exam Session: Peter Cramp (The Economics Factory)
“A great day with a lot of interesting ideas for our economic students!”
– Wellingborough School –
Programme & speakers
The Importance of Understanding the Economy Rupal Patel, Senior Economic Advisor, Bank of England
From inflation and interest rates to wages, jobs and living standards, the economy shapes our daily lives. Drawing on insights from Can’t We Just Print More Money?, Money: The Inside Story, and her work at the Bank of England, economist and author Rupal Patel explains why economics matters and why understanding it has never been more important.
About Rupal Patel
Rupal Patel is a Senior Economic Advisor at the Bank of England and co-author of the Sunday Times bestseller Can’t We Just Print More Money?. Rupal has worked at the Bank of England for more than 12 years and has shared her expertise through appearances on BBC Breakfast, BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour and the BBC’s Understand: The Economy podcast.
The Unequal Wealth of Nations Danny Sriskandarajah, CEO, New Economics Foundation
At the root of so many of our modern crises; the climate crisis, cost of living crisis, international instability and the rise of populism, lies not just growing inequality of income and wealth, but inequality between nations. On the 250th anniversary of Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations, the most pressing issue of our time, is not how nations build their wealth, but how some hoard it.
About Dr Danny Sriskandarajah
Dr Danny Sriskandarajah is Chief Executive of the progressive think tank, the New Economics Foundation. He has previously led organisations such as Oxfam Great Britain, CIVICUS, and the Royal Commonwealth Society. His book Power to the People: Use your voice, change the world presents a blueprint for how we, as individuals, can make a difference through community engagement and build a fairer society that works for the many and not the few.
Beyond Survival: The Economic Lives of Refugees Alexander Betts, Professor of Forced Migration and International Affairs
Refugees are often seen as dependent on aid, but this talk reveals them as workers, entrepreneurs, and traders. Drawing on research from East Africa, it explores how policies, skills, and networks shape refugees’ opportunities, challenges, and diverse economic lives.
About Professor Alexander Betts
Alexander Betts is Pro Vice-Chancellor for External Engagement, Sport, and Community at the University of Oxford and Professor of Forced Migration and International Affairs. His research focuses on the political economy of refugee protection, with award-winning work including The Wealth of Refugees.
The Economics of Happiness Caspar Kaiser, Assistant Professor, Warwick Business School
What makes us happy, and can economics explain it? This talk explores how wellbeing is measured and whether self-reported happiness is scientifically valid. We’ll examine why decades of economic growth haven’t boosted happiness and delve into how inequality and different stages of life affect happiness, before turning to the rise of artificial intelligence and its impact on our wellbeing in an increasingly digital and data-driven world.
About Dr Caspar Kaiser
Caspar Kaiser is an Assistant Professor at Warwick Business School and Research Fellow at the University of Oxford. He researches how to best measure wellbeing.
How well-behaved are your decisions? Danae Arroyos-Calvera, Associate Professor in Economics, University of Birmingham
Why do we make decisions we later regret, procrastinate, or help others without reward? This talk explores how behavioural economics uses psychology and experiments to challenge traditional models of rational decision-making. Join us for an interactive session that introduces key insights from this exciting area of economics and take part in some economic experiments to find out if our minds are as well-behaved as we like to think!
About Dr Danae Arroyos-Calvera
Dr Arroyos-Calvera is an Associate Professor in behavioural and experimental economics at the University of Birmingham. She runs experiments to understand what makes people cooperate and be altruistic, and the value of life and health to society.