Research
The Industrial Economics Department has a distinctive research profile focused on understanding how firms, markets, consumers and policymakers interact in an increasingly complex and technology-driven economy. Our work combines theoretical, empirical and experimental approaches to generate insights that are academically rigorous and relevant to policy and practice.
Expertise and impact
We actively contribute to evidence-based policymaking through engagement with governments, regulatory bodies, international organisations, and industry. Members of the department hold roles on editorial boards, research evaluation and funding panels, and professional associations, reflecting the reach and impact of our work across academic and policy communities.
Our research is internationally recognised for its quality, relevance and influence. Staff publish in leading economics journals, specialist journals in industrial and behavioural economics, and top-ranked journals across related fields, including finance, innovation, economic geography, management, entrepreneurship, health, and the social sciences.
Research themes
Our research is organised around three interconnected themes:
Behavioural economics
- Decision-making by consumers, managers and institutions.
- Experimental and behavioural approaches to understanding market outcomes, incentives and policy interventions.
- Applications to consumer behaviour, corporate governance and organisational decision-making.
Competition, innovation and sustainability
- Market competition, innovation processes and productivity growth.
- Digital markets, pricing strategies, data-driven business models and technological change.
- Sustainability challenges, including biodiversity, energy transitions and environmental regulation.
Industrial policy
- The role of government and regulation in shaping economic development and market performance.
- Competition policy, mergers and acquisitions, innovation, regional development and industrial transformation.
- International development and the economic impacts of institutional and policy change.
Funded research
Recent funded projects include:
- Behavioural foundations of informal risk sharing in network economies
- Integrating finance and biodiversity for a nature positive future
- Consumer data and price discrimination in digital markets
- Local government, economic growth and human development
- Gas price volatility: its impact and mitigating measures
Research centres
Members of the department play a leading role and contribute to the work in several interdisciplinary research centres in the Business School, such as:
PhD students
Our vibrant community of doctoral students pursue research in areas close to our research strengths. Our PhD students are an integral part of our academic community. After completing their PhD, many students enter academia in the UK or abroad. Our staff welcome potential PhD students contacting them to discuss PhD proposals.