Research
Economics is internationally recognised as a leading centre for economics research, and research-led teaching, across all the core areas of microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, including development and environmental economics
As confirmed by the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE2008), the quality of ALL our research is internationally recognised. In particular,
- 80% achieved the highest standards of international excellence (3*/4*); and,
- 25% is world-leading (4*)
which places us in the top 10 of all UK Economics Departments.
In recent years we have developed leading international research agendas in mathematical/evolutionary finance, aggegate game theory, econometric theory, environmental economics and development macroeconomics, with the latter’s emphasis on poverty-reduction and growth which is now core central research theme of our Centre for Growth and Business Cycles Research (co-directed by Keith Blackburn, Denise Osborn and Pierre-Richard Agenor). In addition to this Centre, Economics also hosts many externally funded research projects and is the editorial home of the general economics journal The Manchester School.
Whilst supporting all aspects of intellectual enquiry through high-quality research, our strategy is to underpin this with foundations in the core of the discipline in order to maintain a profile which addresses key economics research questions of the day. To facilitate this, and to provide an academically stimulating environment of discourse and debate, each member of staff is supported by at least one Research Area Group (RAG) depending upon their intellectual interests. There are a number of RAGs across the School of Social Sciences, some of which are distinctly interdisplinary and straddle more than one discipline area.
We have developed virtually all our research activity in the following five broad areas:
- Microeconomics & Mathematical Economics
- Macroeconomics, Growth & Development
- Econometrics & Applied Economics
- Environmental & Resource Economics
- Development Economics and Policy
The first four are the principal research groups within Economics. The fifth area draws together interdisciplinary researchers in Economics and the Institute of Development Policy and Management, within the School of Environment and Development.
There are also a small number of staff researching justice and property rights in 17th and 18th century thought, the history of economic and political thought, Post-Keynesian economics and critical realism.
In addition a number of staff are also associated with the work of various Research Centres within and outside Economics.
The Economics Leadership Team has overall responsibility for research strategy and provides support/advice/funding for a number of research related activities.