On Tuesday 14^th November our UVI economists visited the Festival of Economics in Bristol and took advantage of a great series of lectures and discussion groups. Our day started with an in-depth interview with esteemed economist and author, Ha-Joon Chang, by Mehreen Khan (Economics Editor for The Times). Chang talked about his recent book Edible Economics and of his crusade to open up economics reading to non-specialists, though his suggestion that we should all eat more insects as part of our diet was not met with universal acceptance by the girls!

Our second event was a discussion group on the current hot topics of food supply and food price inflation with experts in the field including Swati Dhingra (member of the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee) and Jean-Michel Grand, executive director of Action Against Hunger UK. The panel debated the causes and impacts of food inflation at both a macro and micro level and considered the extent to which there was a need for government intervention along the lines of recent price capping in the energy market. It really brought our classroom study of inflation to life and was the highlight of the day for many of the girls.

Our final event debated the success of recent monetary policy and the likely shape of future interest rate policy. A combative discussion between Jagjit Chadha, director of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, and Huw Pill, Chief Economist at the Bank of England, ensued. We can safely say that we are not heading back to very low interest rates any time soon!

It was an enlightening day. The level of argument and debate was exceptional, and we witnessed first-hand the quality of thinking and keen communication skills required to be a top economist – something for all of our girls to aspire to. We very much look forward to returning next year.

Mr Adrian Poole, Head of Economics