A leading US scholar, who is a major international authority on the shape of the world’s economy, will visit Scotland for the first time next week to meet key figures from Aberdeen’s business community.
Former bank executive, Dr Edward Gramlich, whose expertise secured a prestigious placement by President Bill Clinton on to the Board of Governors of the US Federal Reserve, will spend four days in Aberdeen (May 22 – 25) to share his experience in finance and economy through a series of talks at the University of Aberdeen.
Dr Gramlich, currently Professor of Economics at the University of Michigan, also has a wealth of governmental experience. His strong research record has earned him an enviable reputation as a leading international figure in economics with one of his main studies exploring the economic study of major league baseball in the US.
He has authored several books and many articles on such topics as budget policy, income redistribution, and social security.
Dr Gramlich will arrive in Aberdeen on Monday (May 22) to give a lecture to the local business community on US budget and trade deficits. His talk begins at 4.00pm in the King’s College Centre followed by a reception. Professor C Duncan Rice, Principal of the University of Aberdeen, will attend the lecture and will be joined by Professor Bryan MacGregor, Head of the College of Arts and Social Sciences, and Professor Michael Hughes, Head of the Business School.
On Wednesday, May 24, at 4.00pm, Dr Gramlich will address, in an open lecture, academics and students from the University of Aberdeen Business School and, in particular, students from the Business School Graduate School.
Professor Bryan MacGregor, Head of the College of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Aberdeen, said he was delighted to be welcoming an academic of Dr Gramlich’s stature to the city. He said: “Dr Gramlich is an internationally renowned economics scholar with a wealth of knowledge to share.
“He is highly respected for his governmental work, particularly as a Board Member of the Federal Reserve. During his tenure, the committee proposed, and the Board adopted, important changes in legislation relating to the property sector in the US.
“He also served as the Board’s delegate to, and chair of, the Airline Transportation Stabilization Board, a group set up to administer a $10 billion loan guarantee programme enacted in response to the September 11, 2001, disaster.
“His visit to Aberdeen is much anticipated by the University of Aberdeen and by the local business community.”
Professor Michael Hughes, Head of the Business School at the University of Aberdeen, said next week’s public lectures by Dr Gramlich would foster valuable links between the Business School and the North-east’s business community. He said: “Dr Gramlich’s visit provides an excellent opportunity to engage with the local business community.
“By linking up with representatives from Aberdeen and Grampian businesses and the oil and gas industry, we hope to strengthen and broaden the activities already carried out between the University and the local professional and business community.”
Aberdeen and Grampian is at the centre of Europe’s oil and gas industry and the region is a key engine of the Scottish and UK economies with an aspirational business agenda and major opportunities for growth. The continuing strength of Aberdeen's economy has consistently bucked national and international trends with its high-wage, high skills base, high level of business start ups, consistently low levels of unemployment and a GDP per worker which is the highest in Scotland.
Consistently ranked as one of the UK's most competitive business bases, Aberdeen and Grampian offers a thriving, internationally-focused location, a highly skilled workforce, world class educational and healthcare facilities, a rich culture heritage and an outstanding quality of life.
Professor Hughes added: “The University contributes significantly to the community and economic life in the North-east of Scotland and such high profile events as Dr Gramlich’s visit to the city helps to maintain effective international links with the University’s Business School.”
For further information, or to book a place at Dr Edward Gramlich’s lectures on Monday, May 22, and Wednesday, May 24, at the University of Aberdeen, contact the Business School on (01224) 272167.