Chris Giles, Economics Editor of the Financial Times gives 2022 Ronald Tress Memorial Lecture
The annual memorial lecture commemorates the founder of the Department of Economics, Mathematics and Statistics and former Master of Birkbeck, Professor Ronald Tress.
On Wednesday 11 May, Birkbeck’s Department of Economics, Mathematics and Statistics welcomed Chris Giles, Economics Editor of the Financial Times, to deliver the Ronald Tress Memorial Lecture. Chris is a Birkbeck alumnus, having completed his MSc Economics in 1994.
Entitled ‘Let’s talk Economics’, the lecture explored the communication of economics in the modern world. Sharing insights from his experience at the Financial Times, Chris guided audience members through the changing landscape of communicating economics, from the global financial crisis and subsequent austerity measures to the economic impact of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chris highlighted the current challenges in communicating economic thought and debate in a polarised society and shared how this impacts policy makers, academics and journalists.
Dr Ken Hori, Head of the Department of Economics, Mathematics and Statistics, said: “It was a real pleasure to welcome back Chris to the College to give an extremely engaging lecture. It gave us a real insight into the vital role economic journalists play in educating the public in understanding economics.”
The lecture was an opportunity to welcome members of Professor Ronald Tress’s family, as well as staff, students, alumni and friends of Birkbeck back to campus.