Past Colloquia
2023 MAER-Net Colloquium
Location: Mallorca, Spain
Date: September 21-22, 2023
Program: Here
The Mallorca Colloquium was a great success. The level and rigor of research gets better every year thanks to the brilliance of our new and younger members who engage meta-analysis and present their research at such high and rigorous levels. The discussions were rich, helpful, and insightful thanks to the engagement and wide participation of our members. This was the year of meta-analysis methods, many promising new approaches were introduced, and Zuzana Irsova offered a helpful practitioner's guide that nicely summarizes the current consensus of ‘best practice’ for both those relatively new to the field and for others who wish to expand their approach.
Of special note are the keynotes on critical issues of our current times: Richard Tol on the impact of climate change and Abel Brodeur on p-hacking and publication bias. How is it possible that the scientific rigor keeps improving, and yet the Colloquium is so fun? Everyone expressed their great satisfaction with both the level of research presented and the welcoming nature of the MAER-Net community.
Our sincere thanks go to Heiko Rachinger and the Universitat de les Illes Balears for their generous and gracious hospitality, as well as their meticulous planning. Heiko guided us on a lovely remote beach walk with a swim in the gorgeous Mediterranean. His pleasant disposition and willingness to share his island’s gems seem to know no bounds. The social interactions that were fostered, as a result, were truly special and fun. Thanks again to Heiko Rachinger, the Universitat de les Illes Balears, our members who remain engaged in this important perspective on research, and to younger scholars for their willingness to share their important research with us.
We are pleased that the 2024 MAER-Net Colloquium will be held at the University of Augsburg, Germany. Augsburg, a city steeped in history, is renowned for its beautifully preserved medieval architecture, notably the awe-inspiring Augsburger Dom cathedral. It also holds the distinction of being the hometown of the influential banker Jakob Fugger. This rich heritage makes Augsburg a must-visit destination for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts alike. We hope to see you in Augsburg, September 13-14, 2024.
2022 MAER-Net Colloquium
Location: Kyoto, Japan
Date: October 7 - 8, 2022
Program: Here
The 2022 Kyoto MAER-Net Colloquium was distinguished by many brilliant young researchers giving polished presentations with important research implications, the introduction of new methods, and the routine, insightful, and interdisciplinary discussions. Several members thought this to be the best MAER-Net Colloquium yet. Of special note are: the keynote by Shinichi Nakagawa about what meta-research finds in Ecology and Evolution, the keynote by Chris Doucouliagos on what meta-research tells us about data-sharing journal policy, and Bayesian model averaging for publication bias and meta-analysis offered by Max Maier and František Bartoš.For further information, see the program, https://doi.org/10.1177/25152459221109259, and https://osf.io/fq6mb/.
In addition to creating the perfect spaces and atmosphere for an enlightening research conference, our hosts provided exquisite lunches and dinners that fostered very fun and productive social interactions. Our sincere thanks go to Kyoto University’s Institute of Economic Research and the meticulous, generous, and gracious planning of the local organizing committee: Satoshi Mizobata, Chishio Furukawa, Ichiro Iwasaki, Xinxin Ma, Shigeki Ono, and Mihoko Satogami. See program.
In spite of the distance and the added restrictions on travel due to COVID, 33 out of 33 presenters were able to share their research with us in person in Kyoto, Japan. This unlikely occurrence speaks highly of the extraordinary efforts made by the local organizing committee and the great attraction that Kyoto University is to scholars from all over the world. It also does not hurt that Kyoto is a place of outstanding, sublime, and unrivaled cultural significance and beauty. Although I cannot imagine a superior place to hold our Colloquium or more generous and hospitable hosts, we hope to see you next year on a Mediterranean island, Mallorca, if this is any consolation. While no substitute, Palma de Mallorca is a historic city with architectural beauty, lovely mountains, and palm-shaded beaches offering refreshing Mediterranean swimming. We hope to see you at Palma de Mallorca, September 21-23, 2023.
Location: Athens, Greece
Date: October 22 - 23, 2021
Program: Here
The 2021 Athens MAER-Net Colloquium was yet another success: fun, dynamic, and culturally rich. The level of scientific rigor and policy relevance continues to rise. And, the food and wine were excellent, too.
In spite of a worldwide pandemic, 41 presenters and 60 participants came together for two days, sharing ideas, promoting science, and extending what we know about economics. We were very happy to see old friends, in person, and to meet so many young researchers, who are making real contributions to meta-analysis and its applications. See the Colloquium's website for more information.
A big thank you goes to Professor Michael Chletsos and the University of Piraeus for their flawless hospitality, excellent organization, and the lovely dinner by the seaside. Remind me, why do we hold our Colloquia in other countries?
We hope to see you next year at Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan: Oct 7 & 8, 2022!
2021 MAER-Net Colloquium
Location: Greenwich, London, UK
Date: October 11 - 12, 2019
Program: Here
Fun, informative, and inspiring. Some say that the 2019 Greenwich Colloquium was the best yet. It was especially gratifying to see younger members publishing and being invited to publish in AEA journals. Publication bias has now ‘officially’ been accepted in economics. The times, they are a changing.
We are especially grateful to our new members for sharing their ideas, to the keynoters (Sandy Oliver UCL, Institute of Education and Isaiah Andrews, Harvard) for sharing their insights, and to our psychology comrades for expanding our horizons. May this rich cross-fertilization of meta-research bear delicious fruit.
Our deep gratitude goes to Prof. Denise Hawkes and her team for hosting us!
Thanks to everyone who made the effort to come and to participate, MAER-Net continues to be a vibrant forum in which to share ideas and to advance the social sciences.
Hope to see everyone at Kyoto in 2020.
2019 MAER-Net Colloquium
2018 MAER-Net Colloquium
Location: Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia
Date: October 4 - 5, 2018
Program: Here
The 2018 Melbourne MAER-Net Colloquium was yet another success, quite fun and equally enlightening. At Deakin Downtown, we learned about: new meta-analysis methods, the value of one more valuation study, wage setting institutions, including the communist Chinese party, the big data of research, and how central banks might stimulate the economy by giving everyone free money via debit cards. From the Arbory to Cookie’s and Deakin Downtown, the Super Normal has become the new normal. Our big thanks go to everyone who made the effort, shared their remarkable research, and gave insightful comments. We are also especially appreciative to those who made it this research colloquium possible: Deakin’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, Ingrid Nielsen, the School of Business and Law’s Executive Dean, Mike Ewing, DeLMAR’s Co-Directors, Chris Dubelaar and Chris Doucouliagos and Administrative Officer, Penny Love. Thanks one and all for a truly rewarding experience that was worth traveling to the Great Southern Land.
We hope to see you next year at Greenwich University, London, UK Oct 11!
2017 MAER-Net Colloquium
Location: Zeppelin University, Friedrichshafen, Germany
Date: October 4 - 6, 2017
Program: Here
The social, cultural and scientific experience was truly wonderful! Why are not all economic conferences half as good? Rigorous research presented by young (and somewhat less young) scholars on topics of true scientific importance was the norm. The quality of MAER-Net research keeps rising, as do the numbers of presenters and active participants. We MAER-Net members are truly indebted to Zeppelin University, its administrators, academics, and especially its students.
For those who wish to know more, here are the Keynotes by Berkeley's Oxfam Professor Edward Miguel and by Professor Tom Stanley.
2016 MAER-Net Colloquium
Location: Hendrix College, Conway, US
Date: September 15 - 17, 2016
Program: Here
Thanks to everyone who travelled from all over the world, the US and Arkansas to share their research and who joined our dynamic and engaging discussions of meta-research. More than 40 superb presentations by leading scholars and students.
In spite of two full days of pushing the bounds of what we know about economics, business and psychology and discussing the limitations of modern research, much fun was had by all over dinner, drinks, lunch and coffee.