Network of Industrial Economists Symposium and Conference 2025
Nottingham University Business School was proud to host the annual Network of Industrial Economists (NIE). Symposium and Conference on 26 and 27 June 2025. The two-day event brought together academics, researchers, students, and practitioners to review current developments in industrial economics and policy.
The NIE is the UK’s oldest network of academic economists and practitioners with expertise in industrial economics and policy. Established in the 1970s, it has evolved into a vital forum for discussing academic research and fostering collaboration among academia, business, consultancy, and government agencies.
Bringing together both early-career and established economists from the UK and overseas, the annual event features renowned speakers and provides a platform for debate and knowledge exchange.
The conference highlighted the Business School’s commitment to research excellence and real-world impact. It also aligned with the School’s strategic priorities, particularly its engagement with policy-relevant issues such as growth, productivity, and digitalisation, which are key themes within the UK Government’s evolving Industrial Strategy. Discussions explored the strengths and weaknesses of these plans and the challenges associated with implementation.
Day one: PhD Symposium
The event opened with a PhD Symposium where doctoral students presented their research to peers and expert panels. Sponsored by Charles River Associates (CRA), a leading global consultancy, the symposium provided early-career researchers a valuable opportunity to gain feedback and recognition.
The winner of the Best Paper Prize was Augustus Smith from the University of Oxford, whose research was considered a novel contribution to knowledge with policy-relevant implications.
Domilė Butkevičiūtė, Principal at Charles River Associates, presented the award and commented:
“Charles River Associates proudly sponsored the University of Nottingham’s Network of Industrial Economists Symposium, which reflects our commitment to supporting industrial economists and their ability to address pressing industry challenges. We highly value academic research, which is fundamental to the firm's work.”
Day two: Conference
The second day featured keynote talks with leading UK and international economists, addressing key issues in industrial policy and economic development. The participants also witnessed a lively roundtable discussion on the impact of AI on markets and competition by a panel of economics scholars and practitioners.
Event organiser Professor Monica Giulietti, Professor of Industrial Economics at Nottingham University Business School, said:
“We were delighted to host such a vibrant and thoughtful exchange of ideas. The NIE continues to be an important forum for connecting academic research with real-world challenges in a rapidly changing economic environment.”
The Department of Industrial Economics looks forward to contributing to essential conversations on industrial policy and economic growth.
Further Information:
Find out more about the Industrial Economics department.
Posted on Wednesday 9th July 2025