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Reading Groups

Macroeconomics

18 hours

The macro reading group offers a forum to read, present, and discuss current research in macroeconomics. In each meeting, one of the students presents a paper of their choice, followed by a general discussion. Students from all cohorts are welcome to attend, and more senior students (second-year and above) are encouraged to present their own research projects. By attending the macro reading group, students familiarize themselves with the macro literature, learn how to present and provide constructive feedback, and get inspiration for their own research.

Organizers: Andrey Alexandrov, Cosimo Petracchi, Paolo Varraso

Responsible and reference for PhD students: Cosimo Petracchi

Time and Place: The Reading Group will take place from February 21st to May 30th, 2025, every Friday at 10.00-11.30 am in classroom A (1st floor, Bldg B), but on February 21st and 28th in classroom D (2ns floor, Bldg B).

Link to syllabus

Microeconometrics

18 hours

We plan to discuss published and recent working papers in Microeconometrics and Causal Inference, with a focus on methodological issues and technical challenges often encountered in the field. Ongoing research within our department is also welcome. Our aim is to advance our understanding of current microeconometric methodologies, all within a collaborative and informal setting.

Organizers: Tiziano Arduini, Federico Belotti, Sara Biadetti

Responsible and reference for PhD students: Tiziano Arduini

Time and Place: March 28, April 15, April 23, following dates to be announced (classroom A).

Link to syllabus

Microeconomics

18 hours

The reading group in Microeconomics aims at offering to PhD students and interested researchers the possibility to discuss recent advances in microeconomics (both theory and empirics) and in industrial organization.  

The organizers will propose some selected research themes, which may also be adapted depending on the students’ interests. The reading group will meet on a regular basis, every three weeks/month, and discuss the agreed materials. All participants to the reading group are expected to read the materials (when available), to be ready for presentations and discussion during the meetings. 

Meetings could also be used for methodological help, to present ideas at an early stage of development (both by faculty and students) and/or problematic steps. 

Topics of interest (the list can be adapted) are:

  • Digital Markets and Algorithms: regulation and competition policy issues; 
  • Power in market and non-market settings, Defense economics;
  • Market Design: Energy markets, Health services. 

Link to Syllabus

Organizers: Eloisa Campioni, Anna D’Annunzio, Guillaume Pommey, Giancarlo Spagnolo and Juha Tolvanen.

Timing: We plan to meet on a regular basis on Friday at 10:00-11:30, once a month starting from October 2025. An organizational meeting will be held in September.

The first meeting is also meant to serve as a presentation of the initiative, with all participants being able to propose future discussion themes.

If you are willing to join the group, please contact Anna D’Annunzio.

Philosophy of Economics

18 hours

The reading group in philosophy of economics aims to provide an open space for discussing ethical, epistemological, and political issues related to research in economics. At the outset, the group will focus on two main topics, with the intention of expanding the discussion based on participants' interests and the natural progression of debate: the ethical issue and the epistemological issue. The interconnection between these two will also be explored, particularly the tension between epistemic and non-epistemic values embedded in economic modeling. The discussion seeks to foster a deeper reflection 
on methodology and the broader context of economic research—how our work engages with human life and influences real-world outcomes, whether through policy design or the recommendations that emerge from economic theory.

Organizers: Annalisa Fabretti, Alessandra Pelloni, Roberto Pezzuto.

Responsible and reference for PhD students: Annalisa Fabretti. For joining the group on Teams: Join conversation

Time and place: March 19, 2025, at 3 PM in classroom F; April 16 at 4.10 pm in classrom A; June 13 at 2.00 pm in classrom A. Next meetings will be announced soon.

Link to Syllabus

Quantitative Finance and Financial Econometrics

18 hours

The reading group in Quantitative Finance and Financial Econometrics focuses on the intersection of financial econometrics, mathematical finance,  and the theory and practice of stochastic processes applied to finance and insurance problems, including risk management. In each session, a member presents recent research or a significant paper, sparking discussions that aim to familiarize students with the state-of-the-art in these sectors. This initiative encourages participants to engage with current methodologies, critique approaches, and explore innovative solutions in a collaborative setting. Open to all expertise levels, the group's ultimate goal is to enhance understanding and application of quantitative finance among students, preparing them for advanced research or professional challenges in these fields.

Organizers: Katia Colaneri, Stefano Herzel, Paolo Pigato, Davide Pirino, Tommaso Proietti, Alessandro Ramponi.

Responsible and reference for PhD students: Katia Colaneri.

Time and place

Link to Syllabus

Topics in Political Economy and Labour Economics

18 hours

Discussion on papers recently published in leading economic journals or recent working papers by leading scholars in the field of political economy or labor economics (broadly defined). Papers looking at related topics in historical contexts/using historical data are also welcome.

Orgaqnizers: Elisa Facchetti, Stefano Gagliarducci, Giorgio Gulino, Lorenzo Neri, Francesco Sobbrio.

Responsible and reference for PhD students: Francesco Sobbrio

Time and place: In the A.Y. 2025/26, the Reading Group will take place on Fridays at 1.30-3.00 pm in classroom G (2nd floor, Bldg B), in the following dates: 

  1. September 26
  2. October 3
  3. October 17
  4. November 14
  5. November 28
  6. December 12
  7. February 6
  8. February 20
  9. March 6
  10. March 27
  11. April 17
  12. May 8
  13. May 22

Link to syllabus