Economics outreach programme inspires the next generation
19 June 2023
As part of a new school outreach programme, undergraduate Economics students from Cardiff Business School deliver inspiring interactive sessions to local high school students.
Cardiff Business School recently became an academic partner of the Royal Economic Society’s (RES) Discover Economics campaign, supporting its school’s outreach programme.
This UK-wide programme, involving other Russell Group universities, is designed to:
- broaden the appeal of economics to potential students
- change the stereotyped perceptions of economics and economists
- attract more students from under-represented groups into the field
As a part of the campaign, Student Champions studying Economics from Cardiff Business School deliver specialised sessions in a highly interactive environment in local high schools. The sessions cover current economic issues on topics such as the cost-of-living crisis, the gender pay gap, panic buying, education and economic growth.
During the spring semester, a group of final-year undergraduate students delivered workshops at Willow’s High School in Cardiff. The sessions were received with great enthusiasm from high school pupils. The Student Champions were supervised by Academic Champions and supported by the RES.
The Student Champions said: “over the past few weeks, we have visited Willows High School to deliver workshops to year 10 maths students to provide an insight into economics. As Student Champions, we aim to increase diversity and encourage more people to study economics. It was great to see so many young people engaging in the economics conversation!”
Sam McLaughlin, Campaign Manager from Discover Economics said: “a huge thank you from myself and the team at RES. The support of Cardiff Business School is much appreciated and needed. I look forward to many local schools and their students benefitting.”
Dr Tommaso Reggiani from Cardiff Business School and Dr Ramakanta Patra from Cardiff Metropolitan University are Discover Economics Academic Champions for Wales. They are excited about the campaign and are looking forward to leading the campaign to the rest of Wales in the coming months and years.
“It’s fantastic to engage with the local community to change perceptions of economics and to broaden the appeal of the subject to high school pupils. We want to let them know that economics is not just about money and finance. Economics is everywhere and economists can hold such influence in the direction and debate of issues affecting the communities of the world.”
To find out more about the classes offered to local schools, visit this webpage.
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Senior Lecturer in Economics
