Masciandaro on the Board of the Italian Economic Association

THE APPOINTMENT IS FOR THE 2016/2019 THREEYEAR PERIOD AND THE FIRST OFFICIAL EVENT OF THE NEW BOARD WILL BE AT BOCCONI ON 20 OCTOBER

Donato Masciandaro, Head of the Department of Economics at Bocconi University, was appointed to the board of the Italian Economic Association for the 2016-2019 three-year period. The institution, founded in 1950, today includes approximately 800 members, predominately faculty members and researchers in the various fields of economics. Its aim is to encourage and promote economics research in Italy.

“I accepted this role in part to try to contribute to shattering what I consider two forms of cultural provincialism that at times also risk afflicting the community of Italian economists,” says Masciandaro. “On one hand, considering relevant only what happens in Italy, on the other, only what happens abroad. I think this is incorrect, because it is impossible not to be part of the international community, but it is also important to analyze the institutional context in which we live. In fact,” continues the Bocconi Professor, “to understand the problems of each situation, four ingredients must be used: theory, empirical analysis, study of institutions and a multidisciplinary approach. A meaningful economic analysis should be founded on these four pillars.”

The first time the new board will meet will be at Bocconi on 20-22 October, at the Association’s 57^th Annual Conference. During the event, says Masciandaro, “economics will be discussed, as well as the environment, legality and gender.” Many speakers will participate in the various sessions, and various Bocconi faculty members will chair several sections: Pierpaolo Battigalli, Franco Malerba, Massimo Marinacci, Tommaso Monacelli, Michele Polo, Paola Profeta and Hannes Wagner.
 

by Davide Ripamonti
Translated by Jenna Walker