Professor David Webb features at AXA Research Fund anniversary event

On 20th June the AXA Research Fund celebrated its 6th birthday with a special event at its headquarters in Paris, at which Professor David Webb of the LSE Department of Finance joined AXA’s Eric Chaney to discuss ‘Economic crises: cyclic inevitabilities?’. In a broad-ranging evening that encompassed the wide range of research supported by the Fund, experts also discussed increased life expectancy, climate change, and the role of researchers, with an introduction by Henri de Castries, Chairman and CEO of AXA.

Professor Webb highlighted the steps experts are currently taking to understand the mechanics of the financial crisis, and the great importance to individual banks of effective risk management. David went on to note the importance of being able to disseminate academic findings to representatives of the banking sector – something the AXA Research Fund is able to support – thereby reducing the potential damage caused by future crises.

The AXA Research Fund is the scientific philanthropy initiative of AXA, the global leader in insurance. It aims to further understanding and management of today's and tomorrow's risks. Since its founding in 2007, the Fund has committed a total of €100million to more than 360 research projects at leading academic institutions in 27 countries around the world, including LSE. The Fund undertakes long-term partnerships, focusing on research to contribute to the public debate and help manage or prevent risks to the environment, human life and societies.

Watch the full event video, including Professor Webb’s talk.

Video contents:

  • Introduction - Henri de Castries, Chairman and CEO of AXA
  • Increase in life expectancy: an opportunity to seize?
  • Economic crises: cyclic inevitabilities?
  • Climate change: ever faster, ever stronger?
  • Message from the President of the AXA Research Fund's Scientific Board
  • Researchers, enlighteners of the public debate
  • Conclusion - Henri de Castries, Chairman and CEO of AXA

Read ‘Why we are proud to support research’ by Henri de Castries, Chairman & CEO of AXA.