Summer School 2013

In 2013 the I.S.E.O Summer School celebrated its 10th edition featuring a special panel of speakers including 5 Nobel Laureates in Economics. Thanks to this extraordinary panel, the I.S.E.O Summer School 2013 attracted a record-breaking amount of participants: it managed to gather 99 participants from 41 countries and from 74 universities.

The five Nobel Laureates lecturing were George Akerlof (2001), Eric Maskin (2007), Dale Mortensen (2010), William Sharpe (1990) and Michael Spence (2001). Also Robert Wescott, former advisor to President Clinton and chairman of KeyBridge Research, was amongst this group of distinguished speakers. During the week, participants attended lectures held by the speakers. Three lucky participants were also selected to present their research in “Your Lecture” sessions in front of the other Summer School participants. One of the lecturers was present for each session to offer comments and moderate the discussion that followed.

In addition to the academic programme, the I.S.E.O Summer School participants also attended organized excursions and enjoyed free time. During the 2013 Summer School the participants had the chance to visit the cities of Venice and Bergamo. Additionally, the participants could taste traditional Italian dishes and local specialties in various restaurants. Furthermore, the refined gala dinner organized in the nearby prestigious Berlucchi winery was surely an unforgettable event. Participants of the Summer School could also explore the charming lakeside town of Iseo and take part in recreational activities such as swimming, canoeing and hiking.

Prof. Michael Spence held the opening lecture of the week. He focused on the growth of the emerging economies and their impact on the global economy during his lecture “How the global economy is changing and what is means”. Prof. Dale Mortensen’s lecture, “The Real Crisis: Global Unemployment”, concentrated on one of the biggest problems in today’s society: unemployment. Continuing in the field of employment, Anja Tolonen from the University of Gothenburg presented her research “Mineral Mining and Female Employment” in front of the audience during the first “Your Lecture” session. Prof. Dale Mortensen was moderating the session in question.

On the 18th June, the participants attended a public conference organized by the I.S.E.O Institute entitled “New perspectives on economics generated by the crisis” held at the University of Bergamo. This conference featured Prof. George Akerlof, Prof. Dale Mortensen and Prof. Michael Spence. During the conference, the speakers discussed some of the most topical issues related to international economics.

In Iseo, Artur Doshchyn from Copenhagen Business School held the second “Your Lecture” session with the topic of “Learning, Expectations, and Endogenous Business Cycles”. This session was held together with Prof. George Akerlof, who later gave his own lecture entitled “Identity economics” which covered how norms influence everything in our society. Prof. Robert Wescott gave a lecture “The energy Revolution: How it is redrawing the Map of the Global Economy” focusing on the energy market and its changes. Benjamin Jones from the University of Birmingham held the third and final “Your Lecture” session with the topic of “Driving a Green Economy Through Public Finance and Fiscal Policy Reform” with Prof. Robert Wescott moderating the session. Prof. William Sharpe’s lecture, “Financing Retirement in Aging Societies”, centred on the aging of the population and the dilemmas it brings. The final lecture of the Summer School, held by Prof. Eric Maskin, was entitled “Why Have Global Markets Failed to Reduce Inequality?” which focused on how globalization, nevertheless of its promises, has failed to reduce inequality.

The I.S.E.O Summer School was without a doubt an once-in-a-lifetime possibility to form important social contacts all over the world and interact with economists of high prestige. One should bear in mind that the Summer School is amongst the few summer courses in Economics where Nobel Laureates teach participants. Furthermore, the participants also had the chance to speak with the renowned speakers outside the lecture halls, for example during meals and breaks. The I.S.E.O Summer School participants did not only receive relevant academic and professional experience, but they also went home with an enlarged network of valuable connections and new friendships.

If you want to have a look at the Summer School program and other useful documents please check the downloadable material below. You can also find slides that lecturers used during their classes. In addition you can have a look at all the pictures and videos taken during the Summer School in the photo and video-gallery.