Inaugural ERC London research workshop.
Thursday, 7 May 2026 | The Station Master’s Office, St Pancras London
The European Research College London (ERC London) is delighted to announce its inaugural one-day research workshop, bringing together researchers working at the intersection of economics and psychology. This free event will take place at The Station Master’s Office at St Pancras, London on Thursday, 7 May 2026.
Keynote Speakers
Professor Geoffrey Bird (UCL/ERC London/Oxford) is Professor at the Institute of Education, University College London, and Senior Researcher at the ERUNI European Research College London. His internationally recognised research explores social cognition, empathy, interoception, and alexithymia — with implications spanning psychology, neuroscience, and behavioural economics.
Professor Slavo Radosevic (UCL) is Professor of Industry and Innovation Studies at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University College London, and one of Europe's foremost authorities on innovation systems, technology upgrading, and economic development. He advises the European Commission, OECD, World Bank, and UNESCO on science, technology, and innovation policy.
Attendance & Registration
Attendance is free of charge. The workshop is open to researchers at all career stages. Registration is open until 29 April here.
Programme
| Time | Session |
| 09:00–09:30 | Registration and coffee |
| 09:30–09:45 | Opening Remarks: ERC London |
| 09:45–10:30 | Keynote Lecture 1 – Prof. Slavo Radosevic (UCL) |
| 10:30–11:30 | Economics Session 1: Labour, Macroeconomics & Household Finance |
| • The Role of Confidence Measures in European Unemployment Dynamics — Clemente Pinilla (ERC London / ERUNI) | |
| • Self-Imposed Borrowing Restrictions and Investment Regret — Marc Cowling (Oxford Brookes University) | |
| • Does Intergenerational Human Capital Investment Causally Reduce Household Energy Poverty? — Sana Younas (University of Portsmouth) | |
| 11:30–12:30 | Economics Session 2: Political Economy & Inequality |
| • From Ballots to Belonging: Minority Representation and Social Cohesion in English Local Governments — Sugata Ghosh (Brunel University Lonon) | |
| • Balance Beats Specialization: How Economic Ambidexterity Reshapes Energy Inequality Across Nations — Farzan Yahya (ERC London / ERUNI) | |
| • Public Policing and Private Security: Insights from the UK — Matteo Pazzona (Brunel University London) | |
| 12:30–13:30 | Lunch |
| 13:30–14:30 | Economics Session 3: Conflict, Institutions & Collective Action |
| • Not All Conflicts Are Equal: The Divergent Effects of Political Violence and Protest on Entrepreneurship — Tomasz Mickiewicz (Aston University) | |
| • Who Believes in Conspiracy Theories, and Why? — Jan Fidrmuc (Université de Lille / ERUNI) | |
| • Why People Act: Logic and Cost of Inaction — Zeeshan Hashim (ERC London / ERUNI) | |
| 14:30–15:00 | Coffee break |
| 15:00–15:45 | Keynote Lecture 2 – Prof. Geoffrey Bird (UCL / ERC London) |
| 15:45–16:45 | Psychology Session: Risk Perception, Behaviour & Technology |
| • Consumer Behaviour Under Uncertainty: Risk Perception, Trust, and Purchase Intentions for Virus-Affected Produce in Europe — Johny Hillaire (Newcastle University) | |
| • Gamified Inoculation Against Misinformation: Experimental Evidence from the Bad News Game — Rob Dickinson (University of Sussex) | |
| • From Users to Stewards: Environmental Awareness, AI Self-Efficacy, and Sustainable AI Practices in Higher Education — Alishba Hania (ERC London / ERUNI) | |
| 16:45–17:30 | Bridging Clinic |
| 17:30–18:00 | Best Paper Award and Closing Remarks |
| 18:00–19:30 | Drinks Reception |