The Centre for South-East European Economic History – Summer School in Quantitative Economic History

From 9 to 11 July 2025, The Centre for South-East European Economic History hosted its inaugural Summer School in Quantitative Economic History at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb. The event brought together 30 students and early-career researchers from 12 institutions across 10 European countries, reflecting the growing interest in the application of modern economic methods to historical questions.

The three-day programme featured a combination of lectures, workshops, and group discussions, led by the Centre’s directors — Leonard Kukić (University of Vienna), Stefan Nikolić (Loughborough University), and Filip Novokmet (University of Zagreb) — along with keynote guest Professor Max Schulze from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Participants explored a range of topics in economic history, including long-term economic growth, income and wealth inequality, and historical economic geography, with an emphasis on empirical approaches and quantitative analysis. The school also included a special session offering practical advice on graduate and postgraduate opportunities, including PhD and postdoctoral funding, and international mobility schemes.

A highlight of the event was the opportunity for several doctoral students to present their research and receive constructive feedback from faculty and peers in a collegial and intellectually stimulating environment.

The Centre plans to make the summer school an annual event, further strengthening its role as a hub for training and collaboration in quantitative economic history across South-East Europe and beyond.

The summer school was generously supported by the Economic History Society.