Prof Alan Manning SAL.2.36 and Prof John Van Reenen SAL.2.27A

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 are likely to 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).



Additional topics are explored in Labour Economics for Research Students II in the Winter Term. The two half unit courses are designed to complement each other.

30 hours of lectures in the AT. 

This course is delivered through lectures totalling a minimum of 30 hours in Autumn 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 WT.