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A new alliance that will help inform policy has been announced.  The С����Ƶ’s School of Accounting, Economics and Finance is partnering with the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR), Britain’s oldest independent research institute. Founded 86 years ago, NIESR has a distinguished history of providing evidence-based research to inform government and policymaking.

This partnership is set to advance both institutions' missions to generate impactful research and inform policy at local, national, and global levels.  The collaboration sets out several aims: 

Driving civic engagement and public discourse

The partnership supports the University’s civic engagement agenda through public lectures and expert analysis such as the recent public lecture by Professor Stephen Millard, Deputy Director of Macroeconomic Modelling and Forecasting at NIESR. His analysis of the October budget and policy priorities of the new Labour government, along with regional insights for the South-East, underscored the partnership’s commitment to sharing timely and relevant expertise with the community.

Empowering Research and Policy Impact

The partnership will also enable the University’s researchers to stay at the forefront of global economic developments. With NIESR’s support, academics will benefit from current insights into fiscal events and economic shocks, ensuring their research remains timely and impactful. This collaboration will also help University research reach decision-makers and policymakers more effectively.

Commenting on the partnership, Professor Stephen Millard said: “NIESR’s vision is to understand the economic and social issues that most affect people’s lives and to propose better policy responses.  Through this partnership, we look forward to working closely with the University on improving our understanding of economic and social issues, developing policy proposals, and ensuring that our work impacts policy decisions.”

Supporting Students and Professional Pathways

Students at the С����Ƶ stand to gain significantly from the partnership. There will be opportunities for NIESR members to mentor undergraduates, helping them transition from academic study to the job market, and providing networking opportunities that foster pathways to becoming professional economists.

Professor Homagni Choudhury, Head of School, Accounting, Economics and Finance, Faculty of Business and Law at the С����Ƶ, said: “This partnership is a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain real-world insights and prepare for impactful careers”

“We’re excited to be embarking on this new partnership with NIESR. This collaboration is a joint venture to achieve greater reach and impact in informing policy. With expertise in areas such as developing forecasting models, green finance, and renewable technologies, the С����Ƶ is well-positioned to contribute to solutions for today’s pressing economic challenges.”

Established in 2022, the С����Ƶ’s School of Accounting, Economics and Finance addresses contemporary challenges in its fields through innovative research and education.