The Department of Economics are delighted to host our first public lecture in the Faculty of Social Sciences Public Lecture series, with Professor Andrew Oswald.

'Societal Unhappiness and the Uncertain Future of Democracy'

Date: Tuesday 30 April
Time: 5.30-6.30pm followed by a short drinks reception
Location: FAB0.03, Faculty of Arts Building

You will have the opportunity to ask the speaker any questions in a Q&A at the end of the lecture, as well as meet the speaker in a drinks reception after the lecture, in the Faculty of Arts foyer.

About the Lecture

Mental health and happiness are worsening through time in the United States*. Approximately 40% of citizens in Western Europe today report high levels of worry, and there is a continuing upward trend in ‘national worry’. These trends were visible before COVID, the invasion of Ukraine, and the conflict in Gaza, showing that something foundational and unrealised is happening within Western society. Measured levels of trust are declining quickly.

Andrew Oswald will discuss the nature of these concerning issues, exploring why an unhappy population puts a country's faith in government and the future of democracy at risk. He will leave plenty of time for questions and open discussion.

*Trends in Extreme Distress in the United States, American Journal of Public Health, 2020,110, 1538-1544.

*Unhappiness and Pain in Modern America, Journal of Economic Literature, 2019, 57, 385-402.

About the speaker

Andrew Oswald is Professor of Economics and Behavioural Science at the University of Warwick. He has worked at Warwick for three decades. Recently, Andrew has been appointed Chair of a new Network Advisory Panel of the IZA Institute of Labour Economics in Bonn, Germany. His research is principally in applied economics and quantitative social science.

Since 2010 he has served on the board of reviewing editors of the journal Science. Andrew Oswald's recent work has included research on the behavioural science of climate change.

Please note: Photography and recording will be taking place at this event, which may be used for marketing purposes (e.g. promotional materials). By registering your attendance at this event, you are giving consent to be photographed and recorded, however if you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please inform the photographer or a member of Economics staff on the day. You can withdraw your consent at any time via email to emily.wesley@warwick.ac.uk.

Registration

Registration is mandatory and attendance is only permitted with a valid registration.

Registration will close on Monday 29 April at 12pm noon.

Register