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Department of Economics

Week 32

Department News

Warwick Economics ranked 2nd in the UK for research excellence

99% of the Department of Economics' research has been rated world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*) overall in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. This is a fantastic achievement for the Department!

Key highlights from REF 2021

Outputs
    • The Department ranks 3rd in the UK for quality of research output in Economics and Econometrics, according to Times Higher Education.
    • 98% of the Department’s submitted research outputs are rated 4* (world-leading) or 3* (internationally excellent).
    Impact
        • The Department ranks 2nd for impact in the UK.
        • 80% of the Department’s impact is rated 4* (outstanding) and 20% is 3* (very considerable).

        The assessment was based on the submission of impact case studies, which describe specific examples of how the Department’s research has made a positive difference to the economy, society and quality of life beyond academia.

        Read more and watch short videos about the impact of our work.

        Environment
            • The Department ranks 3rd for research environment in the UK.
            • 87.5% of the Department’s environment submission is rated 4* (conducive to producing research of world-leading quality and enabling outstanding impact).

            Read the full article.Link opens in a new window

            Professor Sascha Becker appointed to editorial board of the American Economic Journal: Applied Economics

            Congratulations to Professor Sascha Becker who has been appointed as Associate Editor of the American Economic Journal (AEJ): Applied EconomicsLink opens in a new window from 1 May 2022.

            Economics students in the finals for the targetjobs Undergraduate of the Year Awards

            We are very pleased to announce that two Warwick Economics students became finalists in the targetjobs Undergraduate of the Year 2022 Awards and attended a prestigious awards ceremony hosted by Sue Perkins on Friday 29 April 2022. Read the full article hereLink opens in a new window.

            Four Economics students present papers at prestigious Carroll Round 2022

            We were delighted to see four students from the Department of Economics taking part in the 21st Carroll Round Undergraduate Economics Research Conference held at Georgetown University in Washington between 21-24 April 2022. Find out more about the students hereLink opens in a new window.

            Opportunity to donate toys to Ukrainian ChildrenWhat items can be donated

            Play is a powerful yet simple way for trauma-affected children to process their experiences and express their thoughts and feelings. Play Action International's Ukraine Play Box Appeal aims to give boxes of toys and play materials to as many Ukrainian children seeking refuge as possible.

            Warwick RAG is asking for the support of the department to help PAI in giving these children the gift of play. We are hoping you can donate either a toy or a filled shoebox of toys. (The image on the right says what boxes can be filled with).

            Cardboard boxes will arrive in the department, where donations can be placed. However, if you wish to use any shoeboxes you have spare that is completely fine. Warwick RAG will arrange for someone to collect boxes towards the end of Week 3.

            Promotion News

            Congratulations to the following colleagues who have recently been through the University recruitment process and were successful:

            • Emil Kostadinov has been promoted to Senior Teaching Fellow
            • Subhasish Dey has been promoted to Associate Professor (T-Focussed)
            • Christian Soegaard has been promoted to Associate Professor (T-Focused)
            • Tom Martin has been promoted to Associate Professor (T-Focused)

            Well done to all!

            Personal Development Review

            For this year, the Personal Development Review (PDR) process will change to a Personal Development Conversation (PDC). There are other changes to the process, most notably:

            1. The PDC is now a mandatory requirement and all colleagues should participate by having a conversation with their line manager/nominated Reviewer.
            2. Conversations should include discussions around individual’s well-being.
            3. The requirement to complete any documentation has been removed from the process.

            We will be circulating more information next week, however, should you wish to learn more, please visit the following website https://warwick.ac.uk/services/lmd/development-opportunities/pdr/Link opens in a new window

            Unconscious Bias Training

            Unconscious Bias (UB) training is now mandatory for all employees. Training is online, takes approximately 35 minutes and is designed to look at the nature of bias, its’ impact in the workplace and how our own behaviours may be affected by our personal bias. The moodle can be accessed via the following link: https://moodle.warwick.ac.uk/enrol/index.php?id=41878Link opens in a new window

            It has been academically proven that completing UB training in the workplace can help to reduce bias in a decision-making process thus improving the working environment, Friedericke Mengel (2021 IntEcRev).

            In addition to UB training being a University requirement, increasing participation rates forms part of the departmental Athena Swan Action Plan, please participate in the training as soon as time permits.

            inVISIBLE Research and Diversity Conference

            The Warwick Black Chemistry Society (WBCS) in collaboration with the Institute of Advanced Study (IAS) would like to invite you to attend and/or present at the inVISIBLE Research & Diversity Conference at the Zeeman Building. The conference is part of an Equality, Diversity & Inclusion project (inVISIBLE) aimed at promoting the visibility of ethnic minorities in academia.

            The conference will feature two days of research talks and posters by ethnic minority researchers (8th & 15th July) as well as one day of diversity-based talks (13th) to highlight projects targeted at addressing inequality gaps within academia.

            For more details and to register please go to the 'inVisible Conference'Link opens in a new window webpage (deadline to register is 31 May 2022).

            Wellbeing

            A reminder – all staff have access to the Employee Assistance Programme, a free, confidential support service designed to assist all employees with personal and professional problems that may be affecting your wellbeing Click here to find out more about the programme.Link opens in a new window

            Warwick Economic Theory Workshop 2022 - Save the Date

            The Warwick Economic Theory workshop hosted by Bhaskar Dutta is back this year and will be taking place on 10th & 11th June. More details will be announced in the coming weeks.

            University Undergraduate Open Days 2022 – Save the Dates

            The University have recently confirmed the dates for our upcoming Undergraduate Open Days which are expected to take place on-campus and online. We would kindly ask you to please save the below dates in your diary as we will shortly be calling for PSS and Academic staff to support the events organised by the Department.

            In-Person – No Social Distancing

            • Saturday 18 June
            • Saturday 25 June
            • Saturday 8 October
            • Saturday 22 October

            Virtual Open Days

            • Thursday 22 September
            • Friday 23 September
            • Saturday 24 September (if in demand)

            Thank you in advance. If you have any questions, please contact Charlotte Doughty (charlotte.doughty@warwick.ac.uk).

            Where do you Draw the Line Training

            Vicki Baars – ED&I Manager at UCL recently visited the department to conduct the above training. Thank you to those who attended a training session. The online training session, this will be delivered on 10 June from 10:30-13:00 – a link will be sent to those individuals who have signed up to this date (which is now full) next week. Further training will take place in September 2022.

            Email Protocols

            Email protocols formed part of a discussion at the recent ‘Draw the line training’ as to when it is/isn’t appropriate to send or receive emails, views differed amongst our colleague’s dependent upon their personal preference. Jodie King from our IT team has put together a short guide to scheduling emails so that they are sent and received during business hours, should this be your preference, see hereLink opens in a new window for further details.

            Walk with colleagues

            Join us for a short 20 minute walk - Monday to Friday at 12.00pm. If you are in the Department and fancy a breath of fresh air during an early lunch break, come for a walk and a chat along the way. Be at Colin’s office (S2.130) by 12.00pm.

            Departmental HR Update

            Health and Wellbeing

            Good health and wellbeing is paramount for staff at all times, but more especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. The University offers a range of remote sessions dedicated to improving our wellbeing. We encourage as many of you as possible to explore any one of these opportunities.

            Report and Support

            Since its introduction, the University Report and Support scheme has been utilised by staff and students to report incidences of bullying/harassment, sexual misconduct, hate crime and discrimination. The University has analysed have produced the first Annual Report which shows that there has been significant use of the system by students and a smaller number of staff since the introduction of the scheme.

            Conference Support Award

            The University has reinstated the Conference Support Award Scheme. The Conference/Training Support Award scheme provides up to £200 to help cover the additional caring costs that individuals incur in order to attend a conference/training session or similar event. Details of the scheme and application form are available here. Applications should be forwarded to Sarah Duggan – Head of Administration, Business and Research in the first instance.

            Should you have any queries regarding the scheme, please contact the departmental HR Officer.

            Publications, Presentations & Workshops

            Dennis Novy was the external invited speaker at the Macro Meeting of the Chilean Society of Economics on 11 May 2022. He presented his research paper on "Import Liberalization as Export Destruction? Evidence from the United States".

            A conference is being held in Montreal in honour of Eric Renault. More information can be found hereLink opens in a new window.

            Andrew Oswald spoke at a 'levelling-up analysis' event run by the Cabinet Office and the What Works Centre, entitled Roundtable on Levelling Up Mission 8: Improving Wellbeing in the UK by 2030.

            On Monday 16 May, Andrew Oswald presents to a mixture of Swedish trade unionists, politicians, civil servants and others on the topic of job satisfaction and the work environment. Sweden has recently begun a review of this issue for their nation.

            Dennis Novy gave a seminar presentation on "Trade Flows and Trade Costs" at the Trade Policy Research ForumLink opens in a new window (based in New York) on 28 April 2022.

            Arun Advani has been appointed Associate Director at Fiscal Studies.

            Dennis Novy discussed Andrei Levchenko's paper on "Information Frictions and News Media in Global Value Chains" at the CFM-LSE-Bank of England International Macro Conference on 6 May 2022.

            Working Papers

            Ben Lockwood's working paper (with Francesco Porcelli and James Rockey) In the Grip of Whitehall? The Effects of Party Control on Local Fiscal Policy in the UKLink opens in a new window has been released.

            Daniel Sgroi's working paper (with Ali Moghaddasi Kelishomi) The Relationship between Cognitive Ability and Risk Preferences in a Developing Nation: Evidence from the FieldLink opens in a new window has been accepted.

            Zeynep O. Kurter's working paper (with Pedro Gomes and Rubens Morita) European Sovereign Bond and Stock Market Granger Causality DynamicsLink opens in a new window has been released.

            Media Coverage

            'Why is it high-tax countries appear happier?'Link opens in a new window - Andrew Oswald's letter to the Editor featured - Financial Times - 25 March 2022

            'Why getting older can mean having the time of your life'Link opens in a new window - Andrew Oswald's research mentioned - The Times - 15 April 2022

            Dates For Your Diary