Program Description

Modern economic theory produces models that are computationally challenging. This has limited the empirical application of these models and their use in policy analysis. Ad hoc methods with poorly understood properties are used to produce approximate solutions of unknown quality. The Institute on Computational Economics aims to raise the level of computational sophistication in economics by creating an interface between economists and computer scientists. Leading computer scientists and numerical analysts will join with leading economists to analyze the computational challenges presented by broad classes of economic models often used in empirical work and policy analysis. The goal of the institute is to use state-of-the-art numerical methods and computer technology to develop new techniques that address the unique problems posed by modern economic models and their econometric estimation. A standing committee of scholars from the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory has assembled leading scholars, promising young scholars and graduate students in economics, computational sciences and applied mathematics to promote the exchange of, and the development of computational research tools as well as fostering a world-wide community in an emerging area of science.

This institute will gather a diverse group of academic participants: experts in policy, microeconomics, macroeconomics, model building, estimating and testing, statistical methods, computation, algorithm development, applied mathematics, and numerical analysis, etc for five days. Summer institute activities will include formal morning tutorials and afternoon sessions that offer opportunities for less formal interactions via seminars and workshops that feature recent advances in quantitative economic policy research. Tutorials will target those interested in learning new analytical and computational methods and application to their own work, those interested in current findings and applicability to other research, and those with backgrounds in math and computer science who are interested in state of the art applied mathematical tools and their application to substantive policy research.

Details

The Institute on Computational Economics will be held at Argonne National Laboratory from July 18th to July 22nd, 2005. Tutorials will be given from 9:00 – 12:00 each morning by leading scholars on topics selected by the committee. Lunch and workshops will follow. Following lunch, we will have a software presentation time to go over potential problems and exercises using software. From about 3:30 – 5:00 research seminars featuring new developments and applications will be presented. Evenings will be devoted to dinner and informal exchanges. Students are encouraged to approach speakers, other students and other circulating instructors with their own work and problems they run into.

Eligibility

ICE applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria to be considered:

Participation Fee

The ICE participation fee is $1,500, which covers lodging and some food for the duration of the institute. Round trip travel to Argonne National Laboratory is the responsibility of the individual participant.

Fellowships

Partial and full fellowships covering expenses will be widely available and awarded on a competitive basis. U.S. citizens, permanent residents or students and faculty presently at US institutions will be given preference. Applicants are encouraged and expected to seek support from their universities or other organizations.