Recap: 2024 Joint Workshops in Macroeconomics
The University of Adelaide hosted a successful and engaging joint workshop in Macroeconomics across Thursday 21 and Friday 22 November 2024, at the Crowne Plaza Adelaide.
The event brought together leading economists, researchers, and policy-makers from around the world for a dynamic series of discussions and presentations that showcased the latest advancements in macroeconomic theory and policy.
The two-day workshop featured more than 20 presentations including 3 keynote sessions spanning a wide range of topics, from fiscal policy and public debt management to drivers of inflation and their implications for monetary policy.
The event was sponsored by the Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics at The University of Adelaide together with The University of Sydney, Centre for Applied Macroeconomic Analysis (CAMA) and Research School of Economics (RSE) from the Australian National University, Reserve Bank of Australia and the Australasian Macroeconomics Society (AMS).
Day 1 focused on macroeconomic theory and featured the Expectations in Dynamic Macro Models (EDMM) conference. Starting at the Federal Reserve Bank of St Louis in the US under their former CEO and President James Bullard, this was the 17th edition of the conference and the first time it has been hosted in Australia.
Day 2 focused on empirical macroeconomics and featured the Continuing Education in Macroeconometrics (CEM) workshop. CEM started its journey in 2013, and this was the 9th edition of the workshop. Each year it’s organized at a different institute in Australia (and sometimes in New Zealand). The workshop brings together HDR students and early-career researchers from universities, central banks, and other policy institutions to tool up on some recent developments in research methods and obtain feedback on their own research-in-progress.
This year’s program attracted a diverse audience, including renowned scholars, emerging academics, and students, creating a vibrant environment for intellectual exchange. The workshop hosted researchers from various universities in Australia and overseas including New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, United Kingdom, United States and various central banks including the Reserve Bank of Australia, Bank of Japan, Bank of Finland, Dutch Central Bank.
Key highlights:
- Presentations: The workshops featured thought-provoking research by internationally recognised experts, including leading figures from major institutions and universities. Topics ranged from innovative methods in macroeconomic modelling to discussions on recent global developments and their implications for fiscal and monetary policy.
- Engagement and collaboration: The event provided numerous networking opportunities, facilitating productive conversations between researchers, policymakers, and students.
- Interactive and inclusive atmosphere: The event’s organisers ensured all participants had the chance to engage deeply with the presented material. Attendees were encouraged to ask questions, provide feedback, and participate in informal discussions, contributing to a truly collaborative learning experience.
- Student involvement: The workshop was also a fantastic opportunity for our students to engage with cutting-edge research in Macroeconomics and Macroeconometrics. Several HDR students participated at the workshops, interacting with and learning from experts in the field, which will undoubtedly contribute to their future academic development and career.
Keynote presenters:
- Professor Bruce Preston (UNSW Sydney)
- Professor Sarah Zubairy (Texas A&M University)
- Professor Guido Ascari (University of Pavia and De Nederlandsche Bank)
Scientific Committee members
EDMM – George Evans (University of Oregon), Albert Marcet (ICREA-CREI, UPF and BSE), Bruce Preston (UNSW Sydney), Bruce McGough (University of Oregon), and Christopher Gibbs (University of Sydney)
CEM Scientific Committee – James Morley (University of Sydney), Qazi Haque (University of Adelaide), Benjamin Wong (Monash University), Firmin Doko Tchatoka (University of Adelaide)
Local organisers
Qazi Haque (University of Adelaide), Firmin Doko Tchatoka (University of Adelaide)
Looking ahead:
The success of the event has set a high standard and further solidified the University of Adelaide’s reputation as a leader in economic research and policy discussions. The workshops not only advanced the academic conversation but also fostered lasting connections that will continue to enrich the field for years to come.
We would like to extend our thanks to the keynote speakers, sponsors, presenters, attendees, and volunteers who contributed to making this event such a success. We are already looking forward to the next instalment of the workshops, which promises to build on the momentum generated in 2024.