Lincoln International Business School hosts world-leading experts for the 4th Development Economics Conference

A host of figures from esteemed institutions, including the World Bank, London School of Economics, United Nations University (UNU-WIDER), International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Cornell University, gathered in Lincoln last week (24-26 June) as LIBS hosted the fourth Development Economics Conference (DEC-2024).

The theme of the conference ‘Technology, Innovation and the Environment: Challenges for Sustainable Development’, explored the intersection of technology, innovation, and environmental sustainability in the context of achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As rapid technological advancements continue to shape our world, the conference aims to address both their transformative potential and disruptive impacts on markets, economies, and social cohesion.

The DEC was first organised in 2015 by Professor Shrabani Saha, Professor of Development Economics at the University, as a platform to foster dialogue and knowledge exchange on development issues amongst students and practitioners.

Following successful iterations in 2017 and 2019, DEC 2024 marks the return of the conference after the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, a gathering of unprecedented caliber.

This year’s lineup of speakers includes esteemed economists and policymakers such as Dr Ayhan Kose (Deputy Head Economist – World Bank), Sir Timothy Besley (London School of Economics), Professor Kaushik Basu (Cornell University and formerly Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India and former Chief Economist and Vice President of the World Bank), Professor Kunal Sen (Director of UNU-WIDER), and Professor Sushanta Mallick (Queen Mary’s School of Business and Management), among others. The Conference had focus on international growth and development, as well as topics pertinent to Lincoln and the surrounding county.

This includes a discussion on agri-food which drew on university academics from the Lincoln Institute for Agri-Food Technology, as well as Professor Johan Swinnen, Director General of the International Food Policy Research Institute.

A special session on health inequality has seen a speech from the new Lincoln Medical School Dean, Professor Jamie Read and CEO United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) Professor Karen Dunderdale, whilst a session on health economics featured contributions from esteemed health researchers including: Professor Partha Kar (OBE, National Specialty Advisor on Diabetes with NHS England), Professor Chris Price (Professor of Stroke and Applied Health Research at  Newcastle University), and Professor Dame Caroline Watkins (Professor of Stroke and Older Peoples Care and Director of Applied Health Research hub at thee University of Central Lancashire).