Thinking like a Microeconomist
The objective of this research area is to teach students to think like Microeconomists and how to properly apply the cost-benefit analysis when discussing economic issues. Through these research projects, the students will be introduced to the elementary theoretical and mathematical tools used in microeconomic analysis and learn how to apply them to an in-depth analysis of real-life economic problems. The broad list of research topics includes consumer choice, labour economics, climate change, monopolistic competition, insurance, information economics, and decision under risk. By the end of the projects, students should be able to:
- understand and explain the basic tools necessary to perform an economic analysis
- apply the tools to analyse simple, real-life problems in microeconomics
- critically discuss the methods used.
Intended audience
The research projects are aimed at students with a basic knowledge of microeconomics, including consumer and producer theory, basic calculus and optimisation. Students from other backgrounds are welcome since the projects can be tailored.
Previous knowledge
Participants should preferably have taken a basic first year class in microeconomics. Ideally, they should also be familiar with basic calculus, including maximisation of one-variable function (necessary and sufficient conditions).
Assessment
Dissertation (no more than 6,000 words): 100% of the total.
Research Topics
The potential research proposals you could pursue on the programme are listed below. The specific research focus of your project will be determined and confirmed with guidance from your supervisor.
- Will robots take your job? Skill-biased technical change and polarisation in the labour market.
- Good news, bad news and fake news. The value of information in Economics.
- “United we stand. Divided we fall." How to sustain long-term cooperation with conflicts of interests? (With applications to climate change).
- “We'll just let Obamacare fail!" – Donald J. Trump. Economic viability of Affordable Care Act, public healthcare plans, and insurance policies.
- Doing it now or later? Economic foundations of procrastination and time-inconsistency in individual behaviour.
Prefer to follow a research idea of your own?
Take a look at the Open Stream.