Tools and methods training for early career economists

Over 30 members of the Government Economic Service working across the civil service took part in a two-day Winter School for a comprehensive introduction to the tools and systems needed for applied social science research.

The early career economists represented a range of government departments including the ONS, Defra, HMRC, Cabinet Office, HM Treasury, Department for Education, Home Office, Scottish Government, Department of Health and Social Care and the Department of Work and Pensions.

Mirko Draca, Director of CAGE and Professor of Economics at the University of Warwick, hosted the event and outlined the research centre’s key priorities over the next five years. He discussed some of the key initiatives for CAGE and the missing elements of evidence-based policy, specifically projects focussing on planning regulation, energy efficiency and computational history.

The first interactive session ‘Coding for Economists’ was delivered by Arthur Turrell, Economist at the Bank of England. He reflected on the improvements in technology, the rapid increase in data science and coding in recent years and engaged participants in practical coding exercises.

Mirko Draca followed with an introduction to working with microdata in a sophisticated way. Focussing on the UK Labour Force Survey he demonstrated ways to wrangle repeated cross-sectional data.

Peter John Lambert from the LSE opened the second day with presentations on the importance of cloud computing when working with big datasets and ways to use large language models in applied research.

Finally, Arthur Turrell delivered a workshop looking at the principles of good code. Participants used this coding knowledge for a practical before and after comparison of retail prices to measure the effect of sugar tax.

• GES Winter School 2024 Resources