Manchester Post-Crash Economics Society

Picking up the Society of the Year Award 2014 is the Manchester Post-Crash Economics Society

Society of the Year
Manchester Post-Crash Society

“The Manchester Post-Crash Economics Society campaigns for changes to how economics is taught in Higher education, in light of the modern economic climate. Since its inception in December 2012, the society has caused huge debate at Manchester, and nationally, around the economics education UK students receive.

They have gone on to have wide-spread student support, including launching a petition which has received hundreds of signatures.

The campaign has worked in true partnership with many academics at Manchester, including working with one staff member closely, where they jointly created a module: Bubbles, Panics and Crashes. The alternative lecture series has had international economists come and speak, very large attendance and created an entirely new educational perspective for economics students here in Manchester.

A similar module is now being taught at York University. The campaign’s focus on broadening the curriculum has challenged the School of Social Sciences, and the school has gone on to change a number of modules across economics, philosophy and politics to incorporate some of the demands. However, the campaign continues as the school rejects the module and alternative theories to economics.

The campaign has even got a brilliant webpage, launched a detailed report (with a foreword by the Executive Director of Financial Stability at the Bank of England), and have had national press coverage multiple times throughout the year. They are now going to be running a fringe event at the next Royal Economic Society’s annual meeting around pluralism to economics education.

I cannot think of anymore they could have done as a campaign, and it’s an absolute triumph to have such a dedicated, critical group of students challenging the status quo of something so fundamental as the international consensus on neo-liberal economics. The society have attracted national media attention for their challenging work, which is set to make significant changes to the landscape of economics education. Some examples of articles can be found here:

http://blogs.ft.com/money-supply/tag/post-crash-economics-society/

http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/economic-students-demand-education

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/07/uk-universities-alternative-economics-models-post-crash-society

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/oct/24/students-post-crash-economics

http://www.debtdeflation.com/blogs/2013/12/10/manchester-university-post-crash-economics-society/

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/19986

It is rare to see a society achieve so much through their campaigning work, and we feel that Post Crash Economics really deserve to be recognised for their contributions to the national picture.”

Nominated by Naomi Atkin, Students’ Union Staff

What some of the judges said…

“Despite the initial course orientated nature of this society it has clearly attracted attention from and engaged far beyond this remit.Through effective organisation and campaigning, as well as compelling subject matter, the society have gained media coverage and the support of world leading experts. Resources have been used well inside the university in bringing on board an academic to set up a module. Students widely petitioned and impact on another university evidences. The success of the year is evident by the national impact made by this society and the coverage received by it. It’s refreshing to see a society of this nature founded of a deep belief that academic change is needed.” Kim McGuinness, Endsleigh

“A society which has acted with great conviction to advance its core aims, in benefit to the wider student population and in direct promotion of the NUS’ founding principle, to defend the rights of students, including their right to intellectual freedom and curiosity.” Kathryn Perera, Movement for Change