Midwest Economic Theory and International Trade Conference

The Economics Department hosted the Fall 2017 Midwest Economic Theory and International Trade Conference over the weekend of Friday November 10 through Sunday November 12. This conference rotates across various “Midwest” universities and happens in the Fall and Spring each year. A total of 198 submissions were received from across the world. Only 102 papers were accepted and presented at the conference, with 27 of these presentations given by academics visiting from non-US institutions (Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Spain, Taiwan and Thailand). Apart from presenters, an additional 25-35 conference participants attended including SMU faculty and PhD students as well as academics from the Dallas Fed, various DFW based academic institutions and other US academic intuitions. 

Research wise, the presentations combined for a very stimulating intellectual weekend. International Trade topics covered trade agreements, protectionism, trade and growth, trade and investment, and trade and inequality. On the Economic Theory side of the conference, topics covered auctions, game theory, public economics, industrial organization, political economy and macroeconomics. With the outstanding assistance provided by PhD student volunteers and staff, particularly Margaux Montgomery, the conference was a resounding success and capped by guests enjoying a wonderful reception in Café 43 at the George Bush Library.