Festival of Economics 2025

This session will explore innovative strategies and policy frameworks aimed at fostering a resilient and sustainable UK economy in the face of global challenges. Experts from various sectors will discuss potential avenues for economic growth, investment priorities, and the role of technology and innovation in shaping a prosperous future for all.

What explains the growing ideological and gender polarisation in many Western societies? What are the consequences, and how can we build a less polarised future?

Speakers: Mehreen Khan (The Times), Moses Shayo (KCL), Alan Finlayson (UEA)

This session will explore the competing priorities of national defence and international aid in today’s geopolitical landscape. As nations grapple with security challenges and humanitarian crises, our panel of experts will discuss the impacts of cutting aid versus defence budgets. Our expert panel will debate whether it is feasible to maintain international aid while ensuring national security, and what potential compromises may be necessary.

Speakers: Chris Giles (Financial Times), Adnan Khan (LSE, FCDO), George Magnus (Oxford University), Lucia Retter (CDEA)

Across the UK, working-class boys and men face some persistent barriers to educational achievement and economic opportunity. Authors Charlie Colenutt and Alex Blower join Bethan Staton to discuss their recent books Is This Working? and Lost Boys, which explore these challenges from the classroom to the labour market.

Speakers: Bethan Staton (FT), Charlie Colenutt, Alex Blower (AUB)

Public discourse around migration to the UK has grown increasingly polarised. Recent shifts in migration policies reflect ongoing debates and adjustments in approach. This panel explores the facts behind the rhetoric, offering perspectives on migration policy, migrants' experiences, and the wider historical context.

Speakers: Anu Anand (BBC World Service), Toman Barsbai (MMB), Brian Bell (KCL), Glen O’Hara

As generative AI technologies continue to evolve, the role of artists and creative professionals is under scrutiny. This session brings together a panel of academic experts and practitioners from the creative industries to explore the implications of AI on artistic expression and creation. Our expert panel will discuss whether the rise of AI-generated art diminishes the value of human creativity or if it catalyses new forms of artistic collaboration. The session will consider how creative industries can adapt and thrive in an era increasingly defined by technology.

Speakers: Margaret Heffernan (University of Bath; Chair), Reema Selhi (DACS), Katy Shaw (Creative Communities), Ruth Towse (Bournemouth University)

In the second annual Marshall Paley lecture, Dr Swati Dhingra member of the Band of England’s Monetary Policy Committee joins Professor Sarah Smith to delve into the intricate world of trade and tariffs. As global economic landscapes shift, this session will explore the impact of trade policies on economic stability and growth. The lecture will examine recent developments in international trade agreements, the consequences of tariff impositions, and the broader implications for the UK economy.

Dr Swati Dhingra is Associate Professor of Economics at the London School of Economics, a Director of The Royal Mint Museum, and a member of the Steering Group for the UK’s Economy 2030 Inquiry.

The Marshall Paley Lecture was supported by the University of Bristol, School of Economics, where Mary Marshall Paley was the first woman lecturer.

Speakers: Sarah Smith (University of Bristol), Swati Dhingra (Bank of England)

As the world grapples with the urgent need to address climate change while also fostering economic prosperity, the concept of 'green growth' emerges as a critical discussion point. This session will bring together economists, environmentalists, and policy makers to examine the feasibility of achieving sustainable economic growth without compromising environmental integrity. Our expert will explore how economies can transition to low-carbon models while continuing to support innovation and development.