Fraser of Allander Institute to head up new initiative to promote opportunities for applied economics students across Scotland

The Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde, is to spearhead a pan-Scotland initiative to create more opportunities for students interested in a career as an applied economist.

The new three-year Economic Futures programme is funded by the Scottish Funding Council and operates on behalf of all Scottish Universities.

Any student studying for an economics or economy-related degree is eligible.

The funding will support work placements for undergraduate and postgraduate students to gain experience in an applied economics capacity in academic, public policy or business.

Training events, with leading applied economists, will be run throughout the year focussing upon the toolkit of an applied economist including policy evaluation, economic modelling and data analysis.

The first round of work placements - to fill opportunities at the University of Stirling, the Fraser of Allander Institute, the Scottish Fiscal Commission and the Scottish Funding Council - attracted over 70 outstanding applications for the eight posts on offer.

Professor Graeme Roy Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute and Director of Economic Futures, said: "Across Scotland, there is a growing demand for skilled economists to work in an applied public policy and business environment. 

"Economics is the study of almost everything we care about in society. Take a look around the world today and you'll see major challenges which have economics at their core, whether that be rising income inequalities, globalisation or climate change.

"This exciting new Scottish Funding Council initiative will help support the next generation of economists with the knowledge, transferable skills and experience to help shape Scotland's future."

Professor David Bell, from the University of Stirling, said: "We think that the Economic Futures project offers a great opportunity to introduce students to important economic challenges that Scotland faces.

"Good policy depends on good evidence. The students will develop new skills and competencies which will help them engage with the interface between policy and evidence."

Claire Murdoch, Head of Devolved Taxes and Social Security, Scottish Fiscal Commission, said: "The Scottish Fiscal Commission relies upon being able to recruit well trained economists from our universities and is very pleased to be involved in this programme.

"We will be able to work with the students on real life questions that are essential to our work such as how people respond to changes in income tax and what will happen to house prices in the future."

Ends

Notes for Editors: For more information please contact Lynn McPherson, University of Strathclyde: lynn.mcpherson100@strath.ac.uk 0141 548 4941

Picture caption:

Front row, second left: Economic Futures Project Lead Mairi Spowage from the Fraser of Allander Institute with the first round of research assistants at the FAI

Background Notes

Economic Futures is a strategic investment by the Scottish Funding Council to support the development of applied economics capacity in Scotland. It is run by the Fraser of Allander Institute and its Directors are Graeme Roy and Mairi Spowage.

Economic Futures Steering Group Membership:

 Anna Babloyan, University of Edinburgh

Julia Darby, University of Strathclyde

Claire Murdoch, Scottish Fiscal Commission

Simon Fuller, Scottish Government

Roger Halliday, Scottish Government

Pat Watt, Skills Development Scotland

2019 Work Placements (Phase 1)

 Scottish Fiscal Commission

 Gary Mullins, University of St Andrews

Project: House Prices

 Michaela Vahovska, University of Glasgow

Project: Income Tax

 Fraser of Allander Institute

Sophie Eales White, University of Edinburgh

Project: Subjective Wellbeing

 Julia Robbie, University of Strathclyde

Project: Impact of the Scottish Professional Football League clubs on the Scottish economy

 Scottish Funding Council

Callum McGrath, University of Edinburgh

Project: Investment in Post-School Education

 Christopher Arrowsmith, Heriot-Watt University

Project: Funding for Access and Retention

 University of Stirling

Mairi McHale, University of St Andrews

Project: O*NET Project

 Ewan Thomson, University of Dundee

Project: HAGIS Project