The translation of theoretical economics into real-world policy changes will be the focus of Caius’ fourth Women in Economics Day, held on Thursday 20 September 2018.

Booking is now open for this popular event which is designed to inspire young women to study and pursue a career in Economics. Spaces are available, free of charge, to Year 12 and 13 girls from any school or college.

Created by Caius Director of Studies in Economics Dr Victoria Bateman, who will be speaking on the day, this annual event will give sixth form girls the chance to hear from top female speakers working in the world of policy-making, as well as young female undergraduate students currently studying Economics at Caius.  

Among this year’s speakers is Hannah Peaker, Chief of Staff of the Women’s Equality Party, an organisation which is campaigning for equal representation in politics, business and throughout working life. Hannah has also worked with UN Women, the United Nations Development Programme and the International Trade Centre on gender equality, as well as working as an adviser on transparency and open government at the Cabinet Office.

She will be joined by Laura van der Erve, a Research Economist at the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS). Oxford graduate Laura works in the Education and Skills sector of the IFS and her current research focus on higher education funding and the modelling of earnings dynamics.

Also lending her voice to the event will be Melissa Davey, Director of Independent Evaluation at the Bank of England. Having joined the Bank of England as a graduate in 1998, Melissa has worked her way up via a variety of economist positions. In 2017, she was a finalist in the Women in the City Future Leader Awards.

Also speaking on the day will be Dr Carolina Alves, a rising star in heterodox economics, along with Shyamoli Patel of Cambridge Econometrics, who will talk about using data and statistical tools as a means to approach policymaking.

Looking ahead to this year’s event, Dr Victoria Bateman said: “This year, our programme will focus on real-world economics - on how developments in theoretical economics are translated into actual policy changes in the real world that affect the lives of people in society. We are delighted to host speakers from across policy making - both fiscal and monetary - and from the Women's Equality Party, who campaign for policies that respond to women's needs.”

“If policy is to work for everyone in the economy, it is vital that economics and policy-making draws on a diverse set of talent - and that includes women. Women are, sadly, currently underrepresented in the academic and professional setting in economics. The good news is that there is room for significant improvement - both in theory and in policy. Going ahead, women can make a real difference - there is no better time to be a female economist.”

Dr Bateman is Director of Studies in Economics at Gonville & Caius, where she teaches macroeconomics and economic history. She writes regular economic commentary for Bloomberg View, CapX and UnHerd.

In addition to hearing from influential and inspiring women in the field of Economics, girls attending the day, which runs from 10.30am to 4.30pm, are also able to enjoy lunch in the College Hall, with time to explore the historic Old Courts before and afterwards if they wish.

To book a place, please use the booking form on our website (schools can apply for up to five students, or students can apply directly). Our Schools Liaison Officer Rebecca Bradley is also happy to answer any queries.

Speakers:

Victoria Bateman, Director of Studies in Economics at Caius

Hannah Peaker, Chief of Staff at the Women's Equality Party

Laura Van der Erve, Research Economist at the Institute of Fiscal Studies

Melissa Davey, Director of Independent Evaluation at the Bank of England

Carolina Alves, Joan Robinson Research Fellow in Heterodox Economics at Girton College

Shyamoli Patel, Project Manager at Cambridge Econometrics

Olivia Crowcombe, studying Economics at Caius

Samantha Onyekwere, studying Economics at Caius

Ayo Opara, studying Economics at Caius

Mimi Zhao, studying Economics at Caius