IRSA PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP

‘Big Data’ for Economics Research? Opportunities and Challenges

Date: August 2^nd, 2015 9am – 4pm
Location: Sanur Paradise Plaza Convention Centre

Structure:  Due to space limitations, participation of this workshop is by invitation only. If you would like to be considered for the invitation,  please send a CV and a one-page max statement describing your current research and how you hope to benefit from attending the workshop to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by June 25, 2015.

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
Data are essential – without high quality data providing the right information on the right things at the right time, it is impossible for policy makers to make sound economic and social policy decisions. Two decades ago, economists had only a few main sources of data – relying mainly on household surveys and official statistics. In recent years, there has been a shift towards using ‘big data’ in economics.  What is big data exactly? Why is it becoming important?  Why does it matter?   Does it have a future in economic analysis? What is the future of traditional data sources in ‘big data’ world? Is this a threat or blessing for the traditional social scientific method?  While some insist that big data may provide an opportunity to leapfrog statistical systems in developing countries and transform how policy makers and business leaders make decisions, others argue that big data is largely a big hype. This workshop will provide a forum for the discussion about the data revolution in economics research. This workshop will also bring together experts who have used big data as well as traditional data sources (e.g. household surveys) and they will provide empirical applications using these data in the workshop. This workshop will also include a panel discussion of how can academics reach out their research beyond the academic circles and achieve greater policy impacts.

PROGRAM
The final program is TBC. Confirmed speakers include: Professor John Gibson (University of Waikato, New Zealand), Indira Hapsari, MCommerce (World Bank, Jakarta), Dr Jong Gun Lee (UN Global Pulse Lab, Jakarta), Dr Susan Olivia (Monash University, Australia), Teguh Pramono, MA (Director of Welfare Statistics, Statistics Indonesia, BPS), Dr Elan Satriawan (TNP2K and University of Gadjah Mada), Dr Firman Witoelar (Survey Meter), Dr Vivi Yulaswati (Indonesian National Development Agency, Bappenas).

For more details about the workshop, contact Susan Olivia at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.