Business School supports Discover Economics project
Economics students recently worked with schools to increase awareness about economics, as part of a project to increase diversity in the profession
11 October 2024
Discover Economics is a Royal Economic Society project with the goal of increasing diversity in the economics profession. Participating universities recruit students to run workshops in state schools to raise awareness about economics and the opportunities to study this subject at degree level.
Typically, pupils who do not study economics at school are less likely to choose this subject to study at university. The project targets GCSE and A-level students with the aim of increasing understanding of the topic, career opportunities and the impact economists can have in the workplace.
Last year the Economics subject group recruited 14 students to deliver 19 workshops in schools and colleges in North Tyneside, Cramlington, South Shields, Morpeth and Lanchester, successfully reaching more than 400 pupils.
Gavin Clarke, Head of Sixth Form, Emmanuel College, Gateshead, said: “How can we whet young people’s appetite for economics and encourage them to discover economics at school, university, and beyond? I had requested that their presentation would stretch the students’ knowledge beyond the taught curriculum as well as providing an insight into the fundamental concepts, analytical tools and quantitative skills used in A-level Economics and undergraduate study. Taking a unit of their undergraduate study about the economics of crime, the students learned how economics can be used to inform public policy.”
A local school careers lead told us “We do not offer Economics in our school, and I have just interviewed a Year 11 student who tells me that their decision to take A-level Economics was as a direct result of your students coming into school last year - good news to hear.”
Anne Jukes, Career Progression Manager at St Bede’s Catholic School & Sixth Form College in Lanchester, said “Although our Sixth Form does not offer economics, the Discover Economics team have influenced a number of our A-level Geographers, Mathematicians and Business Studies students to consider applying for Economics at university. This has been a direct result of the interactive sessions held in school for our Year 10 and Year 12 students over the past 2 years. Thank you for your continued support."
As well as having a positive impact on pupils, the project is beneficial for the university students involved. Emily Doyle, an Economics undergraduate said: “It was great to visit St Bede’s School in Lanchester yesterday as part of the Royal Economic Society Discover Economics campaign, which aims to broaden the appeal of economics to potential students and attract more students from under-represented groups.
"We spoke to maths and business pupils about the topic of 'Money and Happiness', and followed on to discuss our own journeys into economics and the potential careers and graduate prospects that studying economics can lead to. It was great to educate and inspire future students who otherwise would not have much knowledge on the subject. Special thanks to Newcastle University Business School for making this visit possible, and the continued support and guidance throughout!”
Economics at Newcastle University Business School is looking forward to continuing to contribute to this project, inspire future economists and increase diversity within the subject.