CAGE Summer School 2026: Develop the research skills needed for data analysis

CAGE Summer School 2026: Develop the research skills needed for data analysis

21st - 25th June at the University of Warwick

Applications are now open for the annual CAGE summer school for undergraduates interested in a career in academic or policy research.

CAGE is a research centre based in the department of economics at the University of Warwick. We deliver policy driven economics research informed by culture, history and behaviour.

The three-day residential training course provides a practical grounding in coding, data analysis management and research design - all the skills needed to get started as a researcher.

Deadline for applications: Thursday 30th April 2026

Only year 1 or 2 undergraduates studying economics or quantitative social science in the UK or EU are eligible to apply. All accommodation, meals and travel contribution will be funded by CAGE. Arrival for the summer school is on Sunday 21st June and departing Thursday 25th June.

Organiser: Professor Mirko Draca, Director of CAGE Research Centre, University of Warwick

Confirmed presenters: Mirko Draca (University of Warwick), Peter John Lambert (University of Warwick), Eric Melander (University of Birmingham).

Location and timing: Scarman Conference Centre, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom The Summer School will begin with a welcome barbecue on the evening of Sunday 21st June and finish on the morning of Thursday 25th June.

Full programme TO FOLLOW

What will I learn?

The programme will be a mix of lectures and interactive sessions delivered by academic and policy experts and cover the following:

• Coding for economists: learn how to organise a professional coding workflow.
• Data management and analysis: understand ways to put together, present and analyse complex repeated cross-section and panel datasets.
• Digitisation of historical data: hear how to convert hard copy tabular and text data into electronic form. Using GIS (Geographic Information System) techniques to extract spatial data from maps.
• Working on the cloud: a guide to setting up and running big data analysis on Amazon Web Services (AWS).
• Using Large Language Models: learn how to build new types of data for economics research.

The timetable of the summer school will be organised around lectures in the first half of the day with research presentations / case studies in the second half. There will also be the chance for more hands-on and participatory work in the afternoon sessions.

Biographies of the speakers

Mirko DracaLink opens in a new window is a professor of economics at the University of Warwick, a research associate at the Centre for Economic Performance, and CAGE Research Centre Director. His main research area is applied microeconomics, with applications to labour markets, political economy, criminal behaviour and innovation and technology.

Link opens in a new window

Peter John LambertLink opens in a new window is an economist and co-director of the Applied Economics using AI (AEAI) Lab. His research focuses on leveraging novel data and AI/LLMs to study organizations, industries, and economic growth. He studied his PhD in Economics at the London School of Economics (LSE).

Eric MelanderLink opens in a new window is an assistant professor of economics at the University of Birmingham and an external CAGE research associate. His research interests span economic history and political economy. In his work, he draws on techniques from applied econometrics, geographic information systems and digital humanities.

Eligibility

The summer school is open to year 1 and 2 UK and EU undergraduates studying economics or quantitative social science.

Please note you will not be eligible for a place if you have previously attended any CAGE data training event / Summer School.

Practicalities

• Accommodation and meals will be provided free of charge to students. Economy only travel expenses (up to £300 within Europe, and £75 within UK) will also be covered.
• Travel expenses will be reimbursed post event. Facilities are fully accessible.
• Applicants must be available and attend for the full duration of the summer school.
• All meals and social events are included.

How to Apply

Please click the button below and fill out the form.

Apply for a place

Notification of acceptance will be sent out by Friday 1st May 2026.

Any questions about the Summer School, please direct your enquiry to cage.centre@warwick.ac.uk