Is our economics education equipping students with the skills and perspectives necessary to tackle the challenges of the 21st century?

It has been 8 years since the launch of The Econocracy, a curriculum review of university economics education at seven universities across the UK. In the aftermath of its publication, Rethinking Economics made it into national and international media, the book received critical acclaim (as well as ruffling a few feathers). More importantly our message resonated with students from all over the world with there now being over 100 student groups currently campaigning to improve their economics education.

At Rethinking Economics, we believe that economies should serve both people and the planet; furthermore, we perceive the UK economy to currently serve neither. We see our campaign for a reformed economics education as a crucial step in creating better economies, that are socially just, equitable and protect the environment. Economics graduates go on to the highest roles in the public and private sectors, where they make decisions that shape how economies operate and whom they serve. The importance of economics education in shaping economies is something that economists are well aware of, Paul Samuelson famously said, ‘I don’t care who writes a nation’s laws—or crafts its advanced treaties—if I can write its economic textbooks’.

Our new report reviews the teaching of twenty economics department departments from across England, Wales and Scotland, looking at what is taught, what isn't and our view of what a better economics education might look like.

Join us for a presentation on the findings of our report and a discussion about what we should expect from our economics education.

During the event we will hear from:

• Ha-Joon Chang, Research Professor at SOAS
• Yuan Yang MP, Founder of Rethinking Economics and MP for Earley and Woodley
• Carolina Alves, Associate Professor, Institute for Innovation and Social Purpose, UCL
• Report authors Paddy Nelson and Ross Cathcart, Report Authors, Rethinking Economics
• Students from universities reviewed

Doors will open at 6pm for a 6:30pm sharp start!

The event will be followed by a drinks reception.

This event has been made possible with the kind support of the JJ Charitable Trust.