14th Annual Undergraduate Research Conference

The Economics Scholars Program (ESP) is a collaborative effort between Austin College and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas to foster the involvement of undergraduate economics students in all facets of research.

The cornerstone of the ESP is the annual ESP Conference. Since 2007, student scholars and faculty from institutions across the U.S. and Canada have come together to share undergraduate student-initiated or student–faculty coauthored works, ideas about the role of undergraduate research in the curriculum and the challenges and concerns of undergraduates who conduct research.

FAQ

What is the ESP Conference?

It is a research conference for undergraduate students in economics. The conference offers students the opportunity to share and gain feedback on high-quality undergraduate research. It is also designed to inspire other students to undertake their own projects.

How much does it cost to attend?

The conference itself is free and includes continental breakfast and lunch. All attendees are responsible for their own travel expenses. A special conference rate is available at a nearby hotel.

Who should attend?

Undergraduate students who have completed or are thinking about undertaking original research in economics or finance and faculty (especially faculty research sponsors).

What kind of papers are presented?

Papers can be empirical, theoretical or analytical in nature. Past papers have included such diverse topics as health economics, business and ethics, the effects of smoking on productivity, spatial patterns of foreign direct investment and many others. Agendas from ESP conferences are available online.