Departmental news

A project led by Professor Thiemo Fetzer has won one of this year’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) Research Excellence Awards.

The awards recognise excellent and innovative research carried out using the secure data held within ONS Trusted Research Environments, and highlight the ways in which statistical research has been of benefit to wider society.

Around 300 projects a year are given approval to access these granular data, and awards are made to 6 of them.

Professor Fetzer, Dr Christina Palmou (ONS) and Dr Jakob Schneebacher (CMA) won the Impact of Analysis Award – Collaboration with Government which recognises successful collaboration between researchers and at least one UK government department or devolved administration.

Their project, How do firms cope with economic shocks in real time? illustrates the power of good quality, real-time, linked microdata in enabling better, less costly policy decisions, and in challenging over-simplified lobbying narratives.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Dr Palmou said: “Policymakers often need to quickly respond to unexpected shocks - such as financial crises, natural disasters or the economic and humanitarian consequences of war - but traditional data collection methods and research takes months or years."

Professor Fetzer explains: "Without accurate data, policymakers may be forced to rely on economic narratives provided by the media, interest groups or financial markets to guide them. These narratives may be oversimplified or biased.

“To close this gap, we have built a new toolbox, consisting of high-frequency linked microdata, a pre-registered analysis plan, and a flexible empirical strategy to estimate firm responses to shocks in near real-time."

Dr Palmou added: “We used these tools to examine how firms respond to the energy price shock triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine along output, price, input, process and survival margins.”

Professor Fetzer commented: “Our project is a type of proof of concept of how rapid evidence could be created with an agile and responsive public data infrastructure that could also be used for narrative testing.

“But this is a bit further down the line. Most importantly, we sketched out how, with public data infrastructure, real time evaluations of shocks like the energy crisis can be carried out in an agile way.

“This has the potential to change the way governments respond to crises and enable more targeted policy responses that can have much higher impact and lower cost to taxpayers.”

Professor Ben Lockwood, Head of the Department of Economics at Warwick, said: “Many congratulations to Thiemo, Christina and Jakob on this award. Their project is an outstanding demonstration of how good data, empirical research, and advanced techniques of analysis can come together to inform better policy decisions, and an excellent example of how academic research can be applied to real-world policy challenges.”

• How do firms cope with economic shocks in real time? Thiemo Fetzer, Christina Palmou and Jakob Schneebacher ESCoE Discussion Paper No. 2024-16 November 2024 is available here.
• Read a blog about the project by the researchers: Evidence for policymakers in real time: a blueprint - ESCoE.

Dr Ludovica Gazze, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Warwick, has been awarded a significant research grant by the Nuffield Foundation to investigate links between air quality and children’s welfare.

The “Clear Skies, Clear Minds” research project will investigate the impact of air pollution on children’s health and educational outcomes in England since the early 2000s.

Understanding the impact of pollution exposure on children’s wellbeing and academic performance is vital if children are to be supported in achieving their full potential.

Air pollution has severe implications for physical health and the brain. Children are at higher risk of ill-effects due to their smaller developing respiratory tracts, higher relative air intake, and greater amount of time spent outdoors.

Dr Gazze explains:

“Poor physical health resulting from air pollution can affect cognitive functioning and academic performance, which in turn may affect a child’s mental health.

“And poor mental health could in turn have repercussions for physical health, for example if children become less active, giving rise to a downward spiral.”

The Clear Skies, Clear Minds project aims to produce the first robust nationwide evidence on how changes in economic activity and transport networks affect children’s physical and mental health.

Using a variety of data sources, the team will show how social transformations such as the work-from-home revolution, budget air travel and the net-zero agenda are affecting the life chances of UK children.

The project team also includes Dr Lorenzo Neri from the University of St Andrews and Dr Titir Bhattacharya from the University of Warwick.

The team hope to produce implementable policy recommendations and a suite of resources to help parents, local authorities and government understand what actions they can take to mitigate the risks from exposure to pollution.

Commenting on the award, Dr Gazze said:

“We are really excited to receive support from Nuffield Foundation for this work.

“With this project, we aim to clearly demonstrate how the multi-faceted impacts of air pollution on children in England compound, resulting in poor physical and mental health, as well as worse education outcomes.

"Our goal is for this evidence to feed into policymaking that will ensure every child in the UK can develop to their full potential.”

Notes for Editors

• The Nuffield Foundation is an independent charitable trust with a mission to advance social well-being. It funds research that informs social policy, primarily in Education, Welfare and Justice. The Nuffield Foundation is the founder and co-funder of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, the Ada Lovelace Institute and the Nuffield Family Justice Observatory. Visit www.nuffieldfoundation.org @nuffieldfound
• For further information on the project, including the research aims and methodology, please visit Clear Skies, Clear Minds: Air quality and children's welfare - Nuffield Foundation
• Further details of Dr Gazze’s work is available here.

Professor Paola Profeta, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Inclusion and Sustainability at Bocconi University, visited Warwick at the invitation of the Quantitative and Analytical Political Economy Research Centre (QAPEC) and the Wellbeing, Equality, Diversity, and Gender Group (WEDGG).

In addition to her position as Pro-Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Inclusion and Sustainability and her work as a Full Professor of Public Economics at Bocconi University, Professor Profeta is Founder and Director of the Axa Research Lab on Gender Equality and sits on a range of boards and committees in support of her advocacy for female leadership, and for inclusion and gender equality in education, work, and politics.

During her visit to the Department, Professor Profeta delivered a guest lecture for students and staff, on the theme of “Advancing Equality and Inclusion in a Diverse World.” She began by reminding all present that diversity is a fact, but inclusion is a choice, and one which is not only morally right but also sound business, as a diverse and inclusive workforce is one which can be drawn from a wider talent pool and which brings new perspectives and a richer agenda to any institution.

Drawing on data from her own research and other sources, Professor Profeta showed that:

• At present rates of progress it will take 134 years to close the global gender gap. This is a waste of human capital and also inefficient in economic development terms.
• In all EU countries, a larger proportion of young (25 – 34) women than young men are graduates – though this is discipline-specific and women are still the minority in STEM subjects
• In all EU countries, the female employment rate is lower than the male employment rate
• Barriers to female participation in the labour market include caring responsibilities, discrimination, and harmful stereotypes, for example that men are breadwinners and women are home-makers.

Sharing examples from Bocconi University, Professor Profeta discussed what institutions can do to address these challenges, starting with measuring gender and inclusion gaps; setting strategic targets; and taking actions such as creating scholarships and mentoring schemes.

Warning that “none of this can work if we put it in an empty box” Professor Profeta also argued that institutions must work for an overall culture change so that inclusivity is the norm.

Reflecting on her visit, Professor Profeta said “I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Warwick, where I had the opportunity to engage in research discussions with leading scholars in the field and to exchange knowledge and best practices on diversity, equity, and inclusion in academia.”

• Listen to an interview with Professor Profeta.
• Read Professor Profeta’s articles at The Conversation

The ESRC Centre for Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy (CAGE), based in the Department of Economics at the University of Warwick, has been awarded £7.1 million to deliver its ambitious social science research vision over the next five years. CAGE will also receive support from the Department for Economics.

This is the third funding success for CAGE, which first won support from the UKRI Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) in 2010 under the leadership of the late Professor Nick Crafts. It is one of four ESRC centres announced today.

This new award will support CAGE’s research programme for 5 years from January 2025, and recognises both the strong track record of CAGE’s work, and the relevance of its plans for interdisciplinary, challenge-led research using pioneering tools and approaches to address critical UK and global challenges.

The four themes CAGE will address over the next five years are Global Economic History; Designing and Building Better Institutions; Gender, Health and Wellbeing; and Responsive Public Policy.

Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor, said: “I am absolutely delighted that CAGE has been successful in its bid for funding.

“The University of Warwick is committed to tackling the multidisciplinary global challenges of today and the future, in the UK and around the world.

“When the Centre was founded in 2010, under the leadership of Professor Nick Crafts, its vision was to understand how countries succeed in the global economy and what barriers hold back progress.

“Under Professor Mirko Draca, CAGE has articulated an impressive interdisciplinary programme of research aimed at integrating the study of history and institutions with a pragmatic, problem-solving focus on evidence-based policy.

“I am particularly excited at the plans to develop the skills of the next generation of researchers and policy practitioners here in the West Midlands, through a variety of training and outreach programmes. This will contribute to our mission of making a real difference in our home region.”

Professor Ben Lockwood said:

“On behalf of all in the Department I welcome today’s announcement of new funding for CAGE.

“We have been proud to support CAGE since its foundation in 2010, led by our much-missed colleague Nick Crafts. Under Nick’s guidance the Centre tackled one of the fundamental questions of economics – why are some countries rich and others poor? – with an eclectic, exciting programme of research.

“Mirko will lead CAGE into its next phase of evolution - tackling the question of how to make “what works, work” - but I am pleased to see that CAGE’s commitment to an historical and institutional perspective on current challenges will continue as a key pillar of CAGE’s work for the next 5 years, refreshed by new methods of data collection and analysis.

“Nick would have been absolutely thrilled to see CAGE on a secure financial footing for the next 5 years, as are we all.”

Professor Mirko Draca, Director of CAGE, said: “The focal point of CAGE going forward will be to revamp UK evidence-based policy to make 'what works, work'.

“It's not enough to know the technical solutions to a policy problem – we need to understand how technical solutions relate to social norms and cultural and historical legacies. After all, we live our lives in a society not an economy."

Stian Westlake, ESRC executive chair said:

“Our centres are at the forefront of ground-breaking social science research, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and making a real difference. By supporting these centres, ESRC ensures long-term investment in crucial areas while giving researchers the freedom to explore and innovate.

“Three of these investments build on the work of centres that consistently delivered top-quality research that has positively influenced policy and improved lives. The wholly new centre will expand ESRC’s research portfolio even further, helping us understand the health effects of climate change.”

• Read CAGE's news story about the funding here
• Read the full UKRI announcement here.

NOTES:

• The Centre for Competitive Advantage in the Global Economy was established in January 2010 with a £3.7 million grant (CAGE I).
• In 2014 the ESRC awarded a further £3.5 million, for the 5 years from January 2015 (CAGE II)
• In 2018 CAGE received £2.09 million for the 5 years from January 2020 (CAGE Transition)
• Today’s announcement will cover 5 years from January 2025 (CAGE III)

About the Economic and Social Research Council  

The UKRI Economic and Social Research Council (ESRCLink opens in a new window) is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRILink opens in a new window), a non-departmental public body funded by a grant-in-aid from the UK government. We fund world-leading research, data and post-graduate training in the economic, behavioural, social and data sciences to understand people and the world around us. Our work helps raise productivity, address climate change, improve public services and generate a prosperous, inclusive, healthy and secure society. www.ukri.org/esrcLink opens in a new window 

Professor Giovanni Ricco has been nominated to the Euro Area Business Cycle Dating Committee (EABCD). Founded in 2003, the committee works to map and date recessions in the euro area, providing important insights into the euro area business cycle.

The committee also provides authoritative comment in spring and autumn on the current state of economic activity in the euro area, and carries out research projects to better understand these issues.

Professor Ricco explains: “The committee is tasked with establishing the chronology of recessions and expansions in the euro area. We meet and look at data to understand what is happening to the economy.

“The equivalent for the US would be the NBER business cycle committee, while in the UK this work is done by NIESR.

“Our work is of interest both for policy-making and academic studies.”

Professor Ben Lockwood, Head of Department, said: “This is a great honour and a very exciting appointment for Giovanni. Warmest congratulations from us all in the Department.”

The Committee’s five members are chosen by the President of CEPR, the EADBC chair, and the chair and vice-chair of the Euro Area Business Cycle Network (EABCN) Scientific Committee.

• About Professor Ricco: Giovani Ricco is Professor of Economics at the Ecole Polytechnique and at the University of Warwick, a Chercheur Associa at OFCE-SciencesPo, and a CEPR Research Fellow. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the London Business School and a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Pisa. His main research interests lie in the fields of empirical macroeconomics and time-series econometrics.

We are proud to report that three of the best Warwick Economics student dissertations have been published in the seventh round of the Warwick Monash Economics Student Papers (WM-ESP) series.

The WM-ESP portal showcases the top innovative and original research papers written by Warwick and Monash undergraduate and postgraduate students. The WM-ESP portal was launched just over 3 years ago and aims to provide insight into the issues that young economists are using their skills to understand and solve. Issues tackled so far include the housing market, climate change, gender inequality and healthcare.

We congratulate our three students for this fantastic achievement and for the fascinating research that they have conducted; we wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

You can find out more about their research papers below:

Related links

Sixth suite of top Economics student research papers showcased on Warwick Monash portal 21 Feb 2024

Top Economics student research showcased on Warwick Monash portal 9 Oct 2023

The Department of Economics is delighted to announce that for the third year running we have been ranked top of the specialist subject table for Economics in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.

Published annually in September by the Times and Sunday Times, The Good University Guide provides British university rankings based on five categories: teaching quality, student experience, research quality, entry standards and graduate prospects.

We have achieved an overall score of 100 (with 93.3% for graduate prospects) which puts us ahead of the LSE, Cambridge, Oxford and St Andrews.

We have been ranked in the top 5 amongst UK's departments of Economics over the last few years, and reaching the top position four times previously: in the Good University Guides 2024, 2023, 2020 and 2015.

Our recent achievements also include high positions in other important league tables: 23rd place in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2024 for Economics and Econometrics as well as 5th place in the Complete University Guide 2025 published in June 2024.

Professor Ben Lockwood, Head of Department of Economics, said:

“This external recognition highlights our success in producing world class research and providing students with outstanding learning opportunities that support their graduate prospects. It also reflects the hard work and commitment of our staff and students in all areas of our work.”

Related items

The Times and Sunday Times UK University Rankings 2025: League table

University of Warwick shortlisted for University of the Year in 2025 Good University Guide

• Affordable home ownership is at its lowest for 30 years with house prices now eight times higher than the average salary.
• The UK’s planning system has been seen as the culprit of this crisis, reducing housing supply and causing a huge shortage of homes for the growing population.
• Academics from Warwick Economics analysed 18 million planning applications and have pinpointed new evidence on the UK’s planning system.

Their research shows that planning refusals aren’t the problem, and the attention they get is somewhat misguided. Over the past decade, refusal rates for new housing units were almost half the rate than the previous 10 years.

It is the bigger projects which have become more significant. Large projects of over 50 housing units now represent two thirds of newly permitted developments, with very large projects of over 500 units representing 38% of new developments. Twenty-five years ago, these very large developments only made up 8% of new housing.

These bigger developments are much less likely to be refused planning permission than smaller developments. The evidence shows that a single unit project is twice as likely to be refused planning as one with over 500 houses. However, these bigger projects face far more hurdles, delays, red tape and paperwork than smaller ones. Many of these hurdles set in only once permission is granted.

It takes an average of 4.5 years for the planning process to be completed for very large developments, and in some cases can take over 11 years. This suggests that the Labour government’s focus on building new towns to meet the 1.5 million home pledge may mean these new homes do not materialise very quickly.

The research identifies five possible reasons for delays from case study evidence.

1. Financial contributions to the local area: A developer responsible for a 7000-unit estate in Bedfordshire was required to contribute almost £80m for local infrastructure (schools, roads, community facilities and transit services) and unexpected costs.
2. Infrastructure delays: The new development of Northstowe in Cambridgeshire was left in limbo for around 4 years due to a delay in the Highways England-led expansion of the A14, which the new town was entirely dependent on.
3. Regulatory barriers: The Eastern Green development in Coventry was required to comply with seven environmental regulations including sustainable drainage systems and flood risk management.
4. Council led delays: In Ebbsfleet Valley, a new town near London, the planning process for 43,000 houses started in 1996. Delays to decision making and resubmissions has meant that work did not start until 11 years later in 2007. To date only 4000 of the 43,000 houses have been built.
5. Community opposition: The Eastern Green development received over 300 pages of local objections and 173 letters in opposition were filed. The first outline application was made in 2018 and the land remains undeveloped as of 2024.

Nikhil Datta, Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Warwick and co-lead on the project said:

“Our research has shown that there are many often unrelated barriers which impact on the housing supply, and it is not simply planning refusal rates which are the problem. The UK government needs to consider this when setting and implementing policies. Not only is new housing hampered by the planning process itself, but regulatory barriers, infrastructure setbacks and community opposition all play a part. We will be investigating these factors further to quantify their relative importance.”

Amrita Kulka, Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Warwick and co-lead on the project said:

“If the UK is to meet housing delivery targets within shorter timelines, addressing planning delays is essential. Our research highlights a shift since the early 2000s towards a greater reliance on large-scale developments for housing supply. Such developments take substantially longer to go through the planning system than projects of smaller sizes. To speed up housing delivery, the government should consider a mix of small and medium-sized developments, alongside urban extensions and new neighbourhoods.”

Neil Jefferson, Chief Executive, Home Builders Federation said:

“As this important research demonstrates, there are a number of significant barriers to successfully bringing forward large sites, within a realistic time frame. Policy makers need to create a framework within which sites of all sizes can come forward more efficiently if we are to meet communities’ housing needs and allow builders of all sizes to increase output.

“Whilst the new Government’s speedy interventions on planning are welcome, there is no silver bullet and further interventions on the supply and demand side will be required. Amidst a dearth of affordable mortgage lending more support for buyers is required to provide the necessary confidence in demand that allows industry to invest. Building the homes we need will deliver both the social change and economic growth the new Government needs but will take commitment across a range of policy areas.”

• Read the briefing: Five facts on the UK planning system
• The UK planning system - Technical Appendix

This work was supported by Research England under the Policy Support Fund funding stream.

About the authors:

• Amrita Kulka is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Warwick
• Nikhil Datta is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Warwick and a fellow at the Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
• Edoardo Badii is a PhD student in the Department of Economics at the University of Warwick.
• Johannes Brinkmann is a PhD student in the Department of Economics at the University of Warwick.

We look forward to welcoming our new students to the Department of Economics in September 2024.

We are delighted that you have chosen to study here and we look forward to welcoming you this academic year. Your first few weeks have been designed with a series of activities and events enabling you to settle in and adapt to student life at Warwick.

Dr Claudia Rei, Deputy Head of Department in Teaching and Learning, has a welcome message for all incoming students:

"Welcome to the Department of Economics at the University of Warwick. Please take some time to read the information about your Economics Programme below. There is a lot of information here so do not hesitate to contact your programme team if you have queries (economics.ugoffice@warwick.ac.uk or economics.pgoffice@warwick.ac.uk). I look forward to meeting you at various welcome events over the next few weeks!"

A multidisciplinary team of researchers from UK universities, government health agencies and the NHS focused on reducing the harm caused by lead in our environment is one of 36 groups selected for support by a new grant scheme aimed at promoting creative thinking across traditional academic barriers.

Co-led by Dr Ludovica Gazze from Warwick Economics, the ECLIPS project will develop and pilot a scheme for monitoring the amount of lead in children’s blood using an at-home finger-prick test to collect blood samples.

Even though it is highly toxic, lead is common in our homes and our environment. It was widely used in paint, petrol and plumbing before its harmful effects were properly understood.

Children are most at risk from lead poisoning because their bodies and brains are still growing. Symptoms can include developmental delay and learning difficulties.

Despite this, there is no national UK scheme to screen children for lead exposure.

The ECLIPS team of researchers from the universities of Warwick, Northumbria, Oxford and Bristol, together with the UK Health Security Agency, the Health & Safety Laboratory and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, will develop and test new screening methods which don’t require a visit to the GP.

The project will be piloted in Leeds. If successful, the methods developed could be rolled out across the UK as part of a national screening programme or lay the groundwork for a national prevalence study, and the results used to recommend policy changes.

Dr Gazze explains: “We want to understand the current levels of lead exposure in UK children so that effective action can be taken to reduce children’s exposure to lead in the community and at home.

“We estimate that lead pollution could be costing the UK economy £6.8 billion every year, and preventing thousands of children from reaching their full potential.

“It is important to note that the harms done by lead exposure extend beyond the children directly affected. My studies in the US found that the symptoms of lead poisoning, such as lower cognitive ability and disruptive behaviour, spill over to affect a whole class or school. This increases the true costs of pollution and changes our understanding of the importance of addressing it.”

The project leader is Professor Jane Entwistle from Northumbria University’s Faculty of Engineering and Environment. The team aims to develop new research approaches and methods that would not emerge from established disciplinary thinking.

Professor Entwistle added: “Exposure to legacy lead is a hidden burden worldwide and the toxic effects of lead are overwhelmingly observed in children.

“In the UK, detection in children relies on results of blood tests ordered by physicians only when there is a high clinical suspicion of lead poisoning. As such, most cases of elevated lead are missed in children with no obvious symptoms. This funding will allow the development of a novel protocol to enable widespread monitoring of the amount of lead in blood.”

Almost 900 applications were made for the scheme, with only 36 selected to receive funding.

Professor Alison Park, Deputy Executive Chair of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and UKRI Cross Research Council Responsive Mode Senior Responsible Officer said: “The perspectives of different disciplines, working together in collaboration, are vital to solving some of the most pressing problems we face as a society. The UKRI cross research council responsive mode scheme is designed to break down silos and champion research that transcends, combines and significantly spans traditional discipline boundaries.

“The projects announced today will drive progress across diverse fields by creating fresh approaches to research questions, methodologies and ways of working.

“We were all excited to see the innovative and bold approaches being adopted to tackle major issues ranging from climate change to global healthcare and look forward to following their progress.”

ENDS

NOTES

Dr Ludovica Gazze is an environmental and health economist researching urban policy issues, such as lead poisoning. Designing programs to reduce pollution requires an understanding of the negative impact of pollution and how individuals respond to the risks of exposure they face. Dr Gazze investigates these issues using large administrative datasets and experimental and quasi-experimental methods.

The core project team comprises:

· Professor Jane Entwistle, Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Northumbria University

· Dr Lindsay Bramwell, Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Northumbria University

· Dr Jackie Morton, Principal Scientist, Biological Monitoring, Health & Safety Executive

· Carys Lippiatt, Consultant Clinical Scientist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

· Dr Debapriya Mondal, Principal Epidemiology Scientist at UK Health Security Agency

· Dr Ovnair Sepai General Toxicology and Biomonitoring Program Lead at UK Health Security Agency.

· Dr Caroline Taylor, Associate Professor in Nutrition, University of Bristol Medical School

· Dr Francis DiTraglia, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Oxford

· Dr Ludovica Gazze Associate Professor of Economics, University of Warwick

· Tim Pye, Co-Founder of the Lead Exposure and Poisoning Prevention (LEAPP) Alliance

· Dr Kishor Raja, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London