About us
Department of Economics
The LSE Department of Economics is one of the biggest and best in the world, with expertise across the full spectrum of mainstream economics. A long-standing commitment to remaining at the cutting edge of developments in the field has ensured the lasting impact of its work on the discipline as a whole. Almost every major intellectual development within Economics over the past fifty years has had input from members of the department, which counts nine Nobel Prize winners among its current and former staff and students. Our alumni are employed in a wide range of national and international organisations, in government, international institutions, business and finance.
We are a leading research department, consistently ranked in the top 20 economics departments worldwide.
The Department’s research addresses some of the most pressing global challenges, including climate change, economic instability, economic development and growth, and inequality and productivity. This work frequently informs policy and contributes to major shifts in public debate, reflecting the breadth and relevance of the Department’s research agenda. Further examples can be found on our Research Impact and Case Studies pages.
This reputation is reflected in the results of the REF 2021, which recognised the Department’s outstanding contribution to the field. A significant proportion of our research was classified as ‘world-leading’ (4*), with a further substantial share rated ‘internationally excellent’ (3*), demonstrating the breadth and impact of our work.
Most research activity is integrated within collaborative programmes organised by LSE research centres. The main economics-related centres are the Suntory and Toyota International Centre for Economics and Related Disciplines (STICERD), the Centre for Economic Performance (CEP), the Financial Markets Group (FMG), the Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion (CASE), the Spatial Economics Research Centre (SERC), the International Growth Centre (IGC), and the Centre for Macroeconomics (CFM).
The Department’s work continues to generate strong public and media interest, with research regularly featured in national and international outlets. This engagement is supported by an extensive programme of public events and lectures, which bring leading policymakers, academics and practitioners to LSE to share insights and contribute to global economic debate.
Our faculty are internationally recognised for their academic excellence and their engagement with policy and practice. Members of the Department play an active role in shaping economic policy in the UK and globally, advising governments, central banks and international organisations. Faculty have held senior policy roles and continue to contribute to major economic debates.
Swarti Dhingra has been reappointed for a second term (ending in 2028) as an external member of served on the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee. Silvana Tenreyro and Nava Ashraf have previously served as s recently been appointed as an external members. Ricardo Reis is a leading voice in monetary economics and central banking, and John Van Reenen has played a prominent role in shaping UK productivity and innovation policy. Oriana Bandiera has advised governments and international organisations on development and labour markets. Our Faculty members continue to engage with policy institutions across the UK, Europe and globally.
The Department has a distinguished association with the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences. Christopher Pissarides was awarded the prize in 2010 for his work on markets with search frictions. More recently, Philippe Aghion was awarded the 2025 prize, jointly with Peter Howitt and Joel Mokyr, for his work on innovation-driven growth and the theory of creative destruction.
In addition, ten former members of staff or students have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences:
• John Hicks (1972)
• Friedrich Hayek (1974)
• James Meade (1977)
• Arthur Lewis (1979)
• Merton Miller (1990)
• Ronald Coase (1991)
• Amartya Sen (1998)
• Robert Mundell (1999)
• George Akerlof (2001)
STICERD provides a History of Economics at LSE, curated by Jim Thomas, Emeritus Reader in Economics and Research Associate at STICERD.
Find out about LSE's commitment to .
covering a range of queries.
The ideas of economists and political philosophers, both when they are right and when they are wrong, are more powerful than is commonly understood. Indeed, the world is ruled by little else.
Some moments from our events
