CRPR Seminar Series: Dr. Allan Butler

This seminar explores the implications that the study of complex systems has for economics and policy evaluations. Complex system cut across the social sciences but the focus on economics is particularly interesting as it challenges some of its fundamental assumptions. This in turn can lead to differing approaches to policy evaluation that complements rather than competes with existing models. Therefore, the purpose of this seminar is to demonstrate how complexity thinking can enrich approaches that economists use when evaluating policy. Allan is an experienced economist and researcher. Intellectually, he is interested in understanding how complexity systems function and their influence on economic thought. He currently works as a Senior Lecturer in Economics at the Royal Agricultural University, and has previously worked as a researcher fellow at the University of Exeter and Scottish Rural College.