The Department of Economics (DoE) places great importance on education for sustainable development (ESD) within and beyond their curriculum and has delivered research outputs, and regular activities and events to encourage critical debate and thinking on sustainable, socially just and peaceful futures.

The Department also seeks to thrive sustainability issues in Research. The independent policy-driven research centre, CAGELink opens in a new window, based in the Department, is devoted to providing regular publications and news on climate-related research. In Autumn 2021, CAGE produced a special issue on Climate Change and PollutionLink opens in a new window in its influential open access magazine, Advantage Magazine. In April 2022, the DoE hosted the Royal Economic Society Conference, with one of the special sessions specifically dedicated to ‘Solving the climate crisis – togetherLink opens in a new window’.

ESD is also reflected in the way the department encourages students to conduct research on global sustainability issues. The DoE has seen climate change and sustainability at the heart of our Undergraduate Research Support SchemeLink opens in a new window (URSS) and Warwick Internship Scheme for Economists (WISE) projects, with 6 (1 WISE, and 5 URSS) projects developed under these schemes. The projects enhance the students’ experience of tackling real-world issues and help them to develop critical and global thinking skills alongside other sustainability skills, which are in high demand by employers. In addition, the DoE is working with the Bank of England on a MSc research support programme, and over the past two years, two of these projects focused on climate change, one of the key research priorities of the Bank. In addition, in 2021/22 DoE students produced 19 UG and 29 PGT dissertations respectively on topics related to sustainability, 9 of which were published in the Warwick Monash Economics Student Papers.

Student Engagement in Sustainability

ESD is at the heart of DoE’s student engagement activities. The DoE is committed to become a more inclusive and equal place to work and study and to foster staff and student well-being by addressing gender inequalities. The promotion of values of equality, diversity and inclusion has been recently recognised with the Bronze Athena SwanLink opens in a new window received in 2022.

The DoE regularly organises guest lecture series (e.g., Warwick Economic LecturesLink opens in a new window and EconBites) where students have an opportunity to engage with our alumni, professionals in the fields and academics on a wide range of topics. Sustainability-related talks are often part of the programme delivered in the DoE. For example, Honourary Professor David Stainforth delivered a seminar entitled ‘Predicting Our Climate FutureLink opens in a new window’ last October and a talk about poverty and inequalityLink opens in a new window was delivered in 2022 by the current Head of Policy of Oxfam, UK - Katy Chakrabortty.

In 2021, a colleague in the DoE, Dr. Lory Barile, founded the first Warwick Sustainability ChallengeLink opens in a new window, in partnership with Coventry City Council. The Challenge brought together staff and students in a united effort to adopt a more holistic approach to sustainability, co-creating ideas to address a real environmental issue in Coventry. It engaged approximately 70 participants, who actively took part in two three-hour workshops, an optional drop-in session with area experts, and a competition initiative. The success of this initiative was subsequently mirrored at the EUTOPIA Conference 2022. It was later adopted by Warwick Estates Office in 2022, focusing on wasteLink opens in a new window, and by Student Opportunity in 2024, with a focus on Food and DrinkLink opens in a new window, providing students and staff with an opportunity to enhance and apply their sustainability skills. The Challenge is now part of the Warwick AwardLink opens in a new window and core Skills framework. It has also consolidated links with local Councils, leading to the creation of a Green Legacy team, and engaging with local communities on projects aimed at solving real-life issues.

"Having the opportunity to co-create and present a shared vision with academics across the University to the Coventry City Council has been rewarding and has transformed my critical approach to sustainability. From developing my green skills to learning design thinking from expert students and coaches, it enhanced my creativity and initiative to think outside the box when solving genuine environmental challenges in Coventry… Overall, my experience was immensely enjoyable, as I am thoroughly motivated to apply my new competencies in tackling the real-life challenges in a working and studying environment." - Dylan Davis (one of the student participants)

In February 2022, in partnership with UCL, the DoE organised a behavioural marathon Link opens in a new windowfor MSc students aimed at suggesting solutions to global emerging issues identified by Hubbub UK, a Charity organisation aimed at promoting actions to tackle the climate crisis. The marathon was mentioned as an example of good practice to apply behavioural economic theories to these problems and develop sustainability skills at the Student-Staff Liaison Committees (SSLC).

"The Behavioural Marathon gave me an opportunity to apply behavioural economic theories to deal with social challenges. In addition, I enjoyed discussing various ideas with my teammates and seeing ideas presented by other groups was also enjoyable. When we arrived at a solution to the challenge, I felt a sense of achievement." – Yuanyu Zeng (Former MSc Economic student who participated the Marathon)

The DoE is also committed to host Widening Participation (WP) and Outreach activities in various events. Since September 2022, in partnership with the Warwick Economics Society, the DoE launched the Warwick Future Economist Essay CompetitionLink opens in a new window. The topics of the essay competition had been selected from the three key areas of economics: macroeconomics, behavioural economics, and environmental economics, and challenged the young students to write how economics can help understand better the cost-of-living crisis, the impact of conflict on the global economy and the climate crisis, tackling as such the three pillars of sustainable development. Another WP opportunity – the Econ-Inclusivity: Embracing Diversity & Inclusivity initiativeLink opens in a new window – involves student co-creation to support the integration of students with disabilities and neurodiversity. Students are encouraged to participate in the research project competition and the art installation competition to raise the community’s awareness of disabilities and neurodiversity. This 2024 event allows students to share their experiences and insights in shaping initiatives that resonate with the student community in the department.