On Monday, 19 February 2024, the Arthur Lewis Lab for Comparative Development will announce the first awardee of its inaugural Hajnal Lecture, to be given annually at the University of Manchester. This new lecture series is named after the late John Hajnal, in recognition of pivotal contributions to historical demography and his impactful tenure as a Simon Fellow at the University of Manchester in the 1950s.  With the gracious approval of John Hajnal’s next of kin, the Arthur Lewis Lab is proud to establish the Hajnal Lecture to honour his memory and reflect the University of Ma ..read more

Conference to be held at the University of Manchester Part of the CEPR Economic History programme With generous support from the Hallsworth Conference Fund, University of Manchester. Arthur Lewis Lab Conference #5 Date: 18-19 June 2024 (preceded by a graduate student workshop on the 17th) Conference title: Legal and institutional origins of economic development: lessons from the past Note: This conference is expected to take place offline only. Keynote speakers: Christine Desan (Harvard University), Gary Cox (Stanford University), Nuno Garoupa (George Mason University), Peter Murrell (Universi ..read more

This conference recently took place in Manchester. Interviews with the keynotes are available here. DAY 1 Leigh Gardner Hélder Carvalhal Soeren Henn Leonard Wantchekon Rebecca Simson Cal Links Marlous van Waijenburg DAY 2 Jacob Weisdorf Guilherme Lambais Marvin Suesse Pablo Fernández Cebrián Leonard Wantchekon giving a presentation about the Africa School of Economics Steve Broadberry, Rebecca Simson, and Pablo Fernández Cebrián discussing economic growth and development in Africa Ellen Hillbom ..read more

At its manufacturing peak, Stockport (near Manchester) had as many as 30 hat factories. Of course, the days when most men wore hats are gone, and the North has now de-industrialized, too. I’ve written before in this website about industrial heritage in the North, such as the Quarry Bank Mill, or the Bolton Steam museum. I recently visited the Hat Works, a former factory in Stockport, now turned museum. The museum was very well put together, explaning the manufacturing process of hats in detail. Interesting examples include how the usage of mercury would create health problems to some workers ..read more

Here’s the program for the Arthur Lewis Lab Conference #4, previously announced here. It will take place at the University of Manchester on October 27-28, 2023. The program is still subject to minor changes (check this website frequently). There will also be a dinner in both days (covered) in restaurants nearby, to be announced ..read more

Conference to be held at the University of Manchester Arthur Lewis Lab Conference #4 Part of the CEPR Economic History programme. With support from the ESRC New Investigator Grant, “Measuring the Great Divergence: A study of global standards of living, 1500-1950”, and the Arthur Lewis Lab for Comparative Development, University of Manchester. Dates: October 27 and 28, 2023 Note: This conference is expected to take place offline only. Conference title: Quantifying the Long Run History of Africa Opening address: Leigh Gardner (London School of Economics) Keynote speakers: Jutta Bolt (University ..read more

Lancashire and nearby regions obviously have much industrial heritage associated with one of history’s most important events, the First Industrial Revolution, which was associated with the appearance of modern economic growth in England, earlier than any other region in the world. I have written here before about the Quarry Bank Mill and the Paradise Mill. Last weekend, I visited the Bolton Steam Museum, which was great. Here are some pictures ..read more

Previously announced here. This conference will take place at the University of Manchester on June 16, 2023 ..read more

Conference to be held at the University of Manchester Part of the CEPR Economic History programme. This event is jointly organised by the Arthur Lewis Lab for Comparative Development (Arthur Lewis Lab Conference #3), The Productivity Institute, and The Manchester School at the University of Manchester. The conference will take place at the Manchester Alliance Business School. Date: June 16, 2023 Note: This conference is expected to take place offline only. Conference title: Productivity Revolutions: Past and Future Keynote speakers: Michela Giorcelli (UCLA) and Jo ..read more

The Simon and Hallsworth fellowships are now open for application: ·       Hallsworth Research Fellowship ·       Hallsworth Research Fellowship in Chinese Political Economy ·       Hallsworth Research Fellowship with focus on External Engagement and Impact ·       Simon Research Fellowship All of these are suitable for economic historians. Join our growing group at the Arthur Lewis Lab for Comparative Development! The closing date is 16th March. Be s ..read more