Irish Economics Working paper series

IEA Thematic Research Networks

To foster collaboration and help develop the research ecosystem for Irish economists, the Irish Economic Association (IEA) has established a mechanism whereby IEA members (institutional, individual, corporate) can establish thematic research networks. These networks aim to foster debate, discussion, and research collaborations across the discipline in Ireland. Members are free to propose a network on any research topic of their choice.

The research networks programme has the following aim and objectives:

  • To bring together IEA affiliated researchers to work on shared thematic research areas;
  • To improve information flows on ongoing research amongst research network members;
  • To coordinate and circulate relevant research and papers to network members through a centralised information channel such as mailing lists;
  • To foster collaboration and encourage research partnerships to develop within the economics disciple in Ireland;
  • To hold conferences, workshops and events in the area of thematic research network; and
  • To put forward proposed special sessions for the IEA conferences in the thematic area of the network.

The following groups form part of the IEA Thematic Research Networks:

 

Behavioural Economics Network

The main objective of our network is to connect behavioural economists from across Irish research institutions, facilitating research collaboration, and exploring cross-institutional funding opportunities. Specifically, the network brings together economists working on behavioural and experimental economics across three pillars: policy, experimental methodology, and behavioural theory.  Additional objectives of our network include organising the Annual Irish Economics and Psychology Conference, running a series of virtual Proposed Experimental Design Seminars (PEDs), supporting PhD and early career behavioural economists, and providing mentorship and development opportunities. Through our activities, we will also work to increase the visibility and impact of behavioural economics in Ireland and internationally.

Co-chairs

 

Economic Theory Network

The Irish Economic Theory Network is a group of economic theorists based on the island of Ireland. It aims to promote collaborative research and grant applications between its members. We organize a yearly workshop to disseminate our work. Our inaugural workshop will take place at Queen’s University Belfast in October 2024. We also aim to regularly organize special sessions at the Irish Economic Association annual conference. Any scholar interested in economic theory is welcome to join the network. To do so, please email any of the co-chairs and we will add you to our mailing list.

Co-chairs:

  • Josué Ortega, Queen’s University Belfast
  • Ashley Piggins, University of Galway
  • Conal Duddy, University College Cork
  • Vessela Daskalova, University College Dublin
  • Tuvana Pastine, Maynooth University

 

Fiscal Policy and Inequality Network

The “Fiscal Policy and Inequality” research network fosters rigorous academic inquiry into the relationship between fiscal policies and economic inequality. Our network is a hub for researchers and policymakers to exchange ideas, collaborate on projects, discuss funding opportunities, and organize workshops and conferences. We aim to understand the impact of different income taxation schemes on income and wealth distribution within Ireland and the EU. By examining various tax structures, we seek policies that promote equitable economic growth and address disparities. Additionally, the network facilitates cross-disciplinary discussions, providing a space for researchers from diverse backgrounds to collaborate on innovative projects. Through these collaborations, we hope to generate new perspectives and approaches to tackling economic inequality via taxation.

Co-chairs:

 

Irish Public Economics Network

Public economics aims to enhance our understanding of public policy. Across Ireland and globally, public economists strive to investigate and enhance tax design, public spending approaches, and the provision of public services. Understanding the causes and consequences of public policies is crucial for effective governance.

There is a disconnect between the public economics research community and Irish policymakers, decision makers, and practitioners. To foster collaboration, communication, and knowledge sharing, the Public Economics Network connects researchers, policymakers, and advisory bodies. We have scheduled an inaugural Irish Public Economics Workshop that will bring together early- and later-stage researchers to present their work in front of a diverse audience and receive feedback from policymakers and advisors.

 

Geoeconomics and Geopolitics Network

The network aims to integrate new insights and promote collaboration among young researchers and practitioners to address economic and political challenges. Central themes include the three pillars of sustainability Environment, Society, and Economics and Education. The network’s activities encompass collaborative research, interdisciplinary workshops, publication efforts, policy advocacy, educational initiatives, and online knowledge sharing. These efforts focus on the global context of economic development, geoeconomics, geopolitics, and globalization, providing a multidimensional framework to analyse and address economic development and progress. Potential benefits include innovative policy development, knowledge exchange, policy impact, capacity building, and fostering a global perspective on sustainability challenges integrating the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the UN 2.0 Quintet for change.

Co-chairs:

Early Career Researchers :

Other members

 

Industrial Economics Network

The network aims to connect experts and researchers interested in Industrial Economics, particularly in the areas of Competition and Regulation, to foster the development and communication of high-quality research. This network will provide a forum for discussion and mutual learning regarding competition and regulation, and to connect academics and policymakers (e.g. Central Bank of Ireland, CCPC, ComReg). Industrial Economics, and particularly competition economics, is an increasingly popular field due to recent abuses of dominance by tech giants, and issues surrounding AI (e.g. algorithm collusion), and digital markets. The field is also directly linked to international trade (e.g. cross-border e-commerce) and financial economics (e.g. banking competition). The network will organize a bi-monthly mailing list to share research papers and calls for special journal issues and conferences. The network will also host an “Annual Competition Day” workshop, where it aims to invite external speakers.

Co-chairs:

 

Irish Historical Macroeconomic Policy Network

The principal objective of the Irish Historical Macroeconomic Policy Network is to bring together scholars working on topics related to Irish macroeconomic policy decisions throughout history. The network will be organised around major themes capturing key areas of government policy: monetary policy, fiscal policy, exchange rates, trade policy, industrial policy, banking, migration policy and land & housing policy, among others. The network’s benefit will come from the recognition that these areas of research are interrelated but are often studied in isolation, both thematically and chronologically. Bringing together research across these themes will enhance our understanding of the evolution of policies over the long run and gain perspectives on the long run successes and failures of policy. For hundreds of years policy makers have taken decisions that influenced short-run economic conditions as well the long-run growth and development of Ireland. The Irish Historical Macroeconomic Policy Network aims to exploit this long record to better understand Irish policy today and to place it in historical context.

Co-chairs

Other members:

  • Ciarán Casey, University of Limerick
  • Aidan Kane, University of Galway
  • Eoin McLaughlin, University College Cork/Heriot-Watt

 

Network of Irish-based Development Economists (NIDE)

The main objectives of NIDE are to create a network of development economists based in Irish institutions, facilitate exchange of ideas and collaborations amongst network members, support junior researchers interested in the field of development economics who are based in Ireland and to increase Ireland’s contribution to development economics research. In addition, we hope to foster closer collaborations between Irish-based researchers involved in development economics and key Irish stakeholders engaged in development initiatives in developing countries.

Co-chairs:

 

Irish Housing Economics Research Network

The development of the Irish housing market is one of the critical issues facing the Irish economy and society. In recent years, Ireland has experienced rapid growth in house prices and rents which have caused housing affordability challenges for many households. The production of housing has been insufficient for many years as demand has outstripped supply. These dynamics have very severe economic and social impacts as housing challenges undermine competitiveness and economic growth but also come with a major social cost for households whose housing is inadequate for the needs. From a policy perspective, housing has become one of the most intensely debated areas but with an agreement of the saliency of addressing the challenges in the sector.

Understanding the functioning of the housing market is critical to determining what is explaining outcomes, in determining how and when policy should intervene and which components of the market need considerable focus. For example, both the demand-side (households) and supply side (production) of the housing market are affected by a complex interplay of economic interdependencies from credit access and economic activity to regulatory structures, market structures and policy supports.

Within this context, and to foster collaboration and help develop the research ecosystem for housing research in Ireland, the Irish Housing Research Network has been established as a Thematic Research Network of the IEA to further debate, discussion and research collaborations across the discipline in Ireland.

The research networks programme has the following aim and objectives:

  • To bring together IEA affiliated researchers on working on housing research;
  • Improve information flows on ongoing research amongst research network members;
  • Coordinate and circulate relevant research and papers to group members;
  • Foster collaboration and encourage research partnerships to develop within housing research in Ireland;
  • Hold conferences, workshops and events in housing economics
  • Put forward proposed special sessions for the IEA conferences in the thematic area of the network.

Co-chairs:

  • Conor O’Toole, Economic and Social Research Institute & Trinity College Dublin
  • Ronan Lyons, Trinity College Dublin
  • Boryana Madzharova, Central Bank of Ireland
  • Daniel Borbely, Queens University Belfast

Contact: conor.otoole@esri.ie

 

 

IEA Travel Grant Scheme

The goal of the IEA Travel Grant Scheme is to aid in the dissemination and promotion of economic research by economists working on the island of Ireland.  Funding will be awarded based on the quality of the work, the quality of the conference and the benefit of the conference to the applicant’s research, network and career progression, with an emphasis on early career researchers.

For more details and how to apply, click here.

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