Prof Yona Rubinstein CKK.5.32, Prof John Van Reenen SAL.2.27A, Prof Alan Manning SAL.2.36 and Prof Stephen Machin SAL.2.06A

This course is available on the MRes/PhD in Economics, MRes/PhD in Economics and Management and MRes/PhD in Management (Marketing). This course is not available as an outside option.

The aim of the course is to familiarise students with main theoretical and empirical issues in current labour economics, to provide them with the tools for conducting independent research in the field, and to provide a perspective on areas of ongoing research. The course has a strong applied focus. For each major topic covered we will investigate the main available theories in light of their testable implications, discuss the advantages and limitations of existing empirical work and assess policy options.

Topics include:

• Imperfect competition in the labour market  (monopsony); minimum wages; immigration.

• Managerial and personnel economics; productivity; human capital; inequalities (labour share of income, CEO pay, wage inequality and new technologies).

• Intergenerational mobility; trade and labour; trade unions; alternative work arrangements; crime and the labour market.

• The economics of entrepreneurship and self-employment; labour market discrimination; human traits and labour market skills; the family and the labour market; trade and firms.

30 hours of lectures in the AT. 30 hours of lectures in the WT.

This course is delivered through lectures totalling a minimum of 60 hours across Autumn Term and Winter Term. Attendance is compulsory.

Students will discuss papers in lectures.

Readings will be mainly from journal articles; a list will be supplied at the start of term.

Take-home assessment (100%) in the ST.