Summer School in Behavioural Economics and Experimental Economics

The School of Economics UNNC is running a summer school in Experimental and Behavioural Economic with a focus on research. This programme offers participants the opportunity to learn how to do research experimental economics. 

Participants are first exposed to some of the key methodological concepts related to conducting experiments. The programme will then challenge participants to design and execute their own experiments, benefiting from close guidance and insights of faculty members through regular discussions. Participants will learn how to formulate their own research questions, apply various experimental methodologies and designs, and analyse and present their findings effectively.

This programme is ideal for students who aim to: (i) enhance their foundational research skills, (ii) engage in in-depth discussions about their ideas with experts in the field, and (iii) learn to conduct their own experiments in UNNC's economic laboratory.

Over the last 30 years, experimental and behavioural economics have become a rising field within economics as behavioural theories of decision-making, drawing on insights from psychology and neuroscience, are deemed to provide a richer explanation of human behaviour than the classical simplistic “homo economicus” representation based on perfectly rational, self-interested agents who maximize their well-being by carefully weighing up the costs and benefits of different alternatives. 

Furthermore, it is widely believed that controlled experiments provide a powerful empirical tool for testing hypotheses in environments where observational studies are unable to identify causal relationships. This led to the opportunity for the field of experimental economics to flourish.

The Centre for Decision Research and Experimental Economics (CeDEx) China, through its training programmes, enables students to gain an in-depth understanding of the most important methodologies and tools used in conducting experimental research. In addition, they will be able to acquire knowledge in the fields of behavioural economics, experimental game theory and economic psychology. They will also enjoy the unique experience of studying in the academic environment of a Sino-British University.

2 June to 20 June 2025

The programme will take place over a three-weeks period and is divided into two broad parts:

A. The first 5 days focus on the foundational methodologies used in experimental economics. Participants will explore a variety of real-life examples and challenges, addressing both classical issues in the field and current topics in behavioural economics. Throughout this segment, students will practice formulating their own research questions applicable to different problems and contexts.

B. The second 10 days is project-based, where students collaborate in small groups of around four students to design their own experiments, under the guidance of an expert in the field. This phase will be complemented by practical lectures and seminars covering essential topics such as coding experiments, data analysis, and how to present research effectively.

Part A (Day 1-5): Essentials

• Introduction to Experiments
• Methodological questions, practical issues, and best practices of running experiments
• How to develop a research question. What makes a good research question
• Survey experiments, Field Experiments, Lab experiments, Ethics
• Developing hypotheses from theory and prior data.
• Designing experiments.

Part B (Day 6-15): Group project –create and run your own experiment.

• Day 6: Students present selected research papers, marking the beginning of developing their own research ideas.
• Day 7-8: Coding and running experiments. Students continue to refine their research idea under the guidance of their supervisor.
• Day 9: Students present their research idea & experimental design to the whole group.
• Day 10: Students finalize their experimental design and implement it within their chosen framework.
• Day 11: Student experiments are conducted in the CeDEx-Lab. Similar to professional economic experiments, each group will receive a real cash budget to incentivize participants' choices.
• Day 12-13: Workshops on STATA that cover STATA basics, data management, techniques to analyse experimental data, how to present it all in a professional presentation. Groups will analyse their experimental data and finalize their concluding presentations.
• Day 14: Research presentation
• Day 15: The programme will conclude with reflections on lessons learned and a farewell party

Click here for the programme details.

• Experimental and behavioural economics have become a rising field within economics which can provide a richer explanation of human behaviour.
• By participating in this summer school, students can gain exposure to and acquire relevant research experience, which can be helpful for their future master applications.
• CeDEx is renowned in the field of economics and is known for its excellent reputation. Attending this summer school will be a beneficial experience for students.
• Upon completion of the programme, students will receive a programme certificate and a recommendation letter, which can be helpful for their applications to master's or PhD programmes in relevant discipline.
• This programme does not overlap with the regular curriculum knowledge of students, and learning in this summer school can broaden their knowledge in the field of economics.
• Students will have the opportunity to experience the unique learning atmosphere and learning mode of a Sino-British university in an immersive manner.
• Outstanding performances in the summer school will be recognized with a Certificate of Excellence.

• Shravan Luckraz, UNNC (PhD from the National University of Singapore)
• Marcus Roel, UNNC (PhD from the London School of Economics)
• Shuo Yang, UNNC (PhD from the University of Texas at Dallas)
• Jan Jozwik, UNNC (PhD from the University of Oxford)
• Tom Lane, University of Newcastle (PhD from University of Nottingham)
• Ying Chen, UNNC (Senior Lab manager and Research Fellow of CeDEx China)

Please scan the QR code to fill in the registration information:

Application and payment deadline: 15 May 2025

Programme Fee & Materials Fee: 15,000 RMB

Early bird price: 14,000 RMB (for students who finish payment before 23 April)

• A course in microeconomics and basic statistics is recommended. Intermediate courses in microeconomics and econometrics are helpful. A typical participant has just finished their second or third year of study in economics or international trade at UNNC. Students from other majors, end-of year 4 students have also participated in this programme with great success.
• An introductory course in behavioural or experimental economics is beneficial but not required.
• This programme is designed to be complementary to the 3rd and 4th year Behavioural and Experimental Economics.
• Students from other universities are welcome to apply and experience the unique, international teaching style of UNNC.
• A high English proficiency is expected as the programme is taught fully in English, and students are expected to present their work at multiple occasions.