On 3rd December, our Year 13 Economics students attended the Education in Action Economics Conference, a dynamic event designed to deepen their understanding of the subject beyond the classroom. Throughout the day, students heard from leading experts working across finance, academia, and industry, each offering unique insights into how Economics operates in the real world.
Investment specialist Elena Vydrine opened the conference with a thought-provoking session on the intersection of climate science and financial markets. Drawing on her expertise in sustainability leadership and investment management, she explained why achieving net zero is essential for limiting global warming and how climate risk has become inseparable from financial risk. Students gained an understanding of how investors use climate-focused frameworks to manage risk, identify opportunities and guide decision-making in an increasingly sustainability-driven world.
Next, Professor Vicky Pryce (Chief Economic Adviser, CEBR) delivered an inspiring session on careers in Economics. She outlined what employers look for in aspiring economists, highlighted essential skills such as data literacy and communication, and explored the diverse pathways available across government, finance, consultancy and research. Her practical guidance offered students a clearer picture of how to build a strong professional profile and prepare for future opportunities.
Dr Stephen Davies from the Institute of Economic Affairs presented a compelling analysis of innovation as the engine of modern economic growth. Challenging the traditional view that innovation is driven solely by individual entrepreneurs, he demonstrated the significant role played by large, structured organisations in raising productivity and advancing technological progress. His talk helped students appreciate the complexity behind one of Economics’ most important concepts: Total Factor Productivity.
In a highly engaging, interactive session, Dr Rebecca McDonald from the University of Birmingham introduced students to the fascinating world of behavioural economics. Through live experiments, she showed how psychology, identity and cognitive biases shape the choices we make, including why we procrastinate, avoid certain information, or act generously without reward. The session prompted students to question how rational our decisions really are.
The day concluded with a clear and insightful overview of the current global and UK economic climate, led by Dr Trevor Williams. Focusing on the recent Autumn Budget, he explained the real-world consequences of government policies, trade tariffs and global economic pressures. His accessible approach helped students apply economic theory to the events shaping today’s world.
