Department of Economics Public Lecture Series 2019
Professor Edward Glaeser 17th June 2019
The Department of Economics, in the School of Social Sciences and Philosophy welcomed Professor Edward Glaeser, Fred and Eleanor Glimp Professor of Economics in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, to give a public lecture on June 17th, 2019. Professor Glaeser’s research focuses across a wide range in the field of urban economics, including: cities, economic growth, and law in economics. In particular, his work has explored the determinants for city growth and their role as centres of idea transmission. He has served as Director of the Taubman Centre for State and Local Government and Director of the Rappaport Institute for Great Boston. Professor Glaeser discussed the role that cities play in the world from the success of urban areas in the west to the rapid transformation of the developing world into urbanized areas. He discussed the incredible benefits that can arise from this urban concentration as well as the tremendous challenges that lie ahead for policy makers.
Prof Edward Glaeser presented on "A World of Cities".
Professor Nathan Nunn 8th May 2019
The Department of Economics, in the School of Social Sciences and Philosophy welcomed Professor Nathan Nunn, Frederic E. Abbe Professor of Economics at Harvard University to give a public lecture on May 8th, 2019. Professor Nunn’s research focuses on the historical and dynamic process of economic development while also studying economic development in a contemporary context. In particular, he has studied the factors that shape differences in the evolution of institutions and cultures across societies. His lecture, "Rethinking Economic Development" explored the effects, both negative and positive, of foreign aid and economic development programs. In particular, he presented the many challenges faced by those interested in designing effective development policy. In his talk, he advocated a movement away from one size fits all strategies, arguing that such policies depend critically on the historical and cultural context in which they operate.
Prof Nathan Nunn presented on "Rethinking Economic Development".
Professor Leah Boustan 8th April 2019
The Department of Economics, in the School of Social Sciences and Philosophy welcomed Professor Leah Boustan, Professor of Economics at Princeton University to give a public lecture on April 8th, 2019. Professor Boustan’s research lies at the intersection between economic history and labour economics. Her lecture, Streets of Gold: Immigration and the American Dream over Two Centuries, explored the assimilation of immigrant populations in the United States, comparing historical migrants to their contemporaries. Her work shows that modern migrants do not appear to be slower to integrate into the United States than immigrants in the past, both in terms of economic and cultural integration. Her lecture discussed recent work in this area, as well as future research and the importance of these questions in modern policy debates.
Prof Leah Boustan presented on "Streets of Gold: Immigration and the American Dream over Two Centuries".