International Research Workshop on Economic Modeling Held at GSEM UrFU

17:15, February 25, 2019

8 researchers from different countries presented their reports

On February 15^th, the international research workshop was held at Graduate School of Economics and Management. The workshop Economic Modeling: Concepts, Models and Policy Implications began a series of traditional research seminars of the Laboratory for International and Regional Economics in 2019.

Researchers and students discussed various approaches to modeling growth factors of the Russian economy, aspects of economics analysis under conditions of uncertainty, assessment of reforms and increasing efficiency of the national economic policy. 8 experts presented their research, representing University of Lille (France), Autonomous University of Barcelona (Spain), University of Agder (Norway), Leibniz University Hannover (Germany) and GSEM UrFU. Each presentation prompted a fruitful discussion. The reports by Hubert Jayet on modeling prices on housing markets and Ivan Savin on effects of competitive selection in Russia and other BRIC countries were of particular interest for the participants. Undergraduate, graduate and PhD students, as well as local researchers interested in the issues of economic modeling took part in the workshop.

Hans Wiesmeth, Academic Head of the Laboratory, President of the Saxon Academy of Sciences:

“This first workshop of LIRE in 2019 proved to be truly international with exciting speakers from five different countries. The topics of the presentations covered a wide area of economics — from housing markets to health effects of time zones changes, from self-selection into the public service to mega events and their economic consequences. The participating students could certainly profit from this survey on a broad range of economic topics and the ensuing discussion. LIRE will continue to prepare and offer workshops, which also address interested students.”

Ivan Savin, Research Fellow of Autonomous University of Barcelona, Professor of GSEM UrFU:

“I enjoyed participating in the international workshop of the Laboratory for International and Regional Economics at GSEM UrFU. I have been taking part in the workshops of the Laboratory for 3 or 4 years, and I can definitely say that their level and diversity of topics are steadily growing, which is very encouraging. This time, the highlights for me were presentations by Hubert Jayet from the University of Lille on using spatial econometrics for housing stock evaluation and by Dmitriy Vorobyev with colleagues from the US and HSE Moscow on how the choice of a career in public service correlates with the willingness to cheat and take bribes. Jochen Jungeilges from the University of Agder also delivered a very interesting talk on dynamic analysis and balances arising from peer-driven consumption choices. This topic is particularly close to my research field, and after speaking with Jochen, I think we can have a joint research project that would utilize the synergy of our knowledge.

I would like to wish the Laboratory to develop these workshops and attract more young researchers from UrFU to present their research and exchange opinions with invited experts. As Steven Johnson rightfully remarked in his book «Where good ideas come from: The natural history if innovation», the best ideas are born not in a secluded office, but when explaining your work to another person who can contribute their own thoughts into it. The majority of revolutionary ideas today are a successful recombination of existing knowledge. The challenge is identifying the knowledge that would allow you to create the synergy, and get an opportunity to personally interact with the knowledge holder, as even in the age of the Internet now everything can be communicated virtually. That is why personal communication between researchers and such small conferences are very important.”