How to take part in Explore Econ

Details on how to submit either a research paper or poster to Explore Econ can be found below.

Key dates
Monday 20 January	Paper and poster entries opens
Friday 14th March Wednesday 30th April	Priority Submission deadline for submissions Good quality papers submitted by this deadline will be given priority consideration Final deadline for any submissions
Monday 12 May	Peer voting for the People's Choice submission opens
Monday 19 May	Peer voting for the People's Choice submission closes
Thursday 22 May	Explore Econ conference, where the winning submissions are presented. Followed by an End of Year drinks and BBQ celebration, where we'll send the year off in style

Submit a paper

Your paper can be based on a coursework essay or data project you have completed in the course of your studies. You will need to record and submit an accompanying five-minute video presentation too.

Open to: Second and Final Year undergraduate students in the Department of Economics
Word limit: 1,500 words
Video presentation time limit: Five minutes
Individual or group applications welcome
Submission deadlines: Friday 14th March (*Priority* Submission deadline for submissions *Good quality papers submitted by this deadline will be given priority consideration*); Wednesday 30th April (*Final* deadline for any submissions)

Submit a poster

Your poster can be based on a coursework essay or data project you have completed in the course of your studies. You will need to record and submit an accompanying three-minute video presentation too.

Open to: All undergraduate students in the Department of Economics
Video presentation time limit: Three minutes
Individual or group applications welcome
Submission deadline: Friday 14th March (*Priority* Submission deadline for submissions *Good quality papers submitted by this deadline will be given priority consideration*); Wednesday 30th April (*Final* deadline for any submissions)

Make your submission

What happens next?

Your submission will be evaluated by our Scientific Committee, which is comprised of distinguished academics, industry experts and UCL students.

Shortlisted entries will be showcased on the website for peer shortlisting, with the best entries awarded prizes and invited to present at the Explore Econ conference in June.

Judges

TBC - please see the 2024 judging panel details below:

Alistair Esfahani (Senior President, Private Equity, Ex-Merrill Lynch)
Sunjit Komboj (Principal at OfCom)
Dr Noushin Pouraghaei (King’s College London)

Prizes will be awarded in following categories:

1st prize submission (£300)
2nd prize submission (£200)
People's Choice submission (£200)
First Year Challenge
Stone Centre Prize

Selection Procedure

The UCL Economics Department will be exclusively responsible for selecting the prize recipients. BSc students are invited to submit a paper or poster before Wednesday 30 April. The Scientific Committee will review all submissions, and the shortlisted entries will be displayed online (Mid-May). Subsequently, the best entries (out of the shortlists) are invited to present their work in-person at the Explore Econ conference on 22 May, before a panel of esteemed judges consisting of academics and professional economists. The judges will decide the final awards.

UCL reserves the right not to award a prize if, in its judgement, there is no suitable applicant. If a suitable prize recipient cannot be found, the funds will be rolled over and awarded to applicants at the Explore Econ Conference in the following academic year.