EC4422 Communication and Public Engagement in Economics and Finance

2025 to 2026 Semester 1

Curricular information may be subject to change

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Students must be in their Senior Honours year of a degree programme in the Department of Economics/Finance

Planned timetable

When confirmed, check online https://timetables.st-andrews.ac.uk/.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Prof L Savorelli

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Luca Savorelli

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

The aim of this module is to discuss critically the approaches used and challenges faced by professional economists as they attempt to communicate their analysis, insights, results and forecasts to the general public. This may focus on a case study of a specific topics or types of communicators (think tanks, research institutes, university academics, international organisations, banks, civil servants) or address the merits of a particular modes of communication and engagement mechanisms adopted by economists (interviews, newspaper articles, letters and editorials, popular level or academic books, blogs, videos, internet forums etc).

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

PERMISSION OF THE ECONOMICS HONOURS ADVISER

Co-requisites

YOU MUST ALSO TAKE ID4002 OR TAKE EC5205 OR TAKE EC5206

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1-hour supervision (x2 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

Communicate economics findings to a general or specialised audience
Write an effective press briefing to promote economics research
Use graphs and diagrams effectively in economics communication
Present quantitative results (such as descriptive statistics and regression) clearly to a wide audience