Research

In support of its research activities, the Division conducts a very active workshop series and publishes working papers. Research in the Division relies strongly on formal analytical methods related to economics, including game theory, information theory, cost-benefit analysis, econometrics, and simulation.

Affiliated with our Division are the W. Maurice Young Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Research Centre, the Phelps Centre for the Study of Government and Business, and the Centre for Urban Economics and Real Estate. The Division also hosts the annual UBC Summer Conference on Industrial Organization. 

The W. Maurice Young Centre for Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Research aims to be a leading centre of research into the entrepreneurial economy. Its mission is to promote the generation and dissemination of knowledge and experience concerning the process of innovation and entrepreneurial value creation.

The Phelps Centre for the Study of Government and Business supports theoretical and applied research into the role of governments in the Canadian economy and into the relationship between government and business in Canada. Centre research investigates the way governments should operate to best serve their constituents and the causes and effects of actual government activities.

The Centre for Urban Economics and Real Estate supports research and education in real estate and urban economics at UBC. Research conducted by the Centre covers theoretical issues and applied problems and is shared through academic seminars and publications. The Centre works actively to integrate the academic work of UBC students with the professional community through internships and targeted research papers.

A financial market in which the ultimate values of the contracts being traded are based on the outcome of provincial or federal elections in Canada. Participants invest their own funds, buy and sell listed contracts, earn profits and bear the risk of losing money.

The 33rd Summer Conference on Industrial Organization is scheduled to be held at the UBC Vancouver Campus, July 12-13, 2019.

The Phelps Centre for the Study of Government and Business hosts this annual summer conference, held at UBC since 1993 (and before that at Carleton University from 1987). Each year the conference brings six or seven outstanding scholars to UBC to discuss their current research in a workshop environment.