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 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 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.
Has Bank of England independence been a success? David Smith, Economics Editor, The Sunday Times
David Smith will review the conduct of monetary policy in the UK since the Bank of England was made independent in 1997, and ask whether criticisms of independence are valid, given the recent record on inflation.
About David Smith
David Smith has been Economics Editor of The Sunday Times since 1989. He is also a visiting professor at Cardiff and Nottingham universities, and author of a number of books including Free Lunch: Easily Digestible Economics, and Something Will Turn Up: Britain’s Economy, Past, Present and Future.
Why Productivity Matters Vicky Pryce, Chief Economic Adviser, Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR)
Productivity is central to economic growth, prosperity and international competitiveness. This session explores the factors that drive productivity, its importance in today’s challenging geopolitical environment, and whether AI is helping or hindering it.
About Professor Vicky Pryce
Vicky Pryce is Chief Economic Adviser and board member at the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) and a Visiting Professor at King’s College, London. Formerly Joint Head of the UK Government Economic Service. Her recent books include How to be a Successful Economist, Women vs Capitalism and Mismanaged Decline.
How well-behaved are your decisions? Rebecca McDonald, Associate Professor of 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 Rebecca McDonald
Rebecca is an experimental economist exploring the psychology of choice and value. She investigates how risk, timing, and our group identity influence the decisions we make, uncovering the surprising ways we seek out or avoid information.
Dates That Matter - The Economists' List Stephen Davies, Institute of Economics Affairs
There are some dates most people recognise, because of their significance such as 1914, 1066, 1945. For economists (and many historians) while those dates are important, there is another list of even greater importance if you want to understand the world we live in and how it came to be. What are those dates – and why do they matter so much? What does this tell us about the story economics gives us about how the world works?
About Dr Stephen Davies
Dr Steve Davies is the Head of Education at the IEA. Previously he was program officer at the Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) at George Mason University in Virginia.