The 2017 Zurich Initiative on Computational Economics
The Zurich Center for Computational Financial Economics (ZCCFE) will hold the 2017 Zurich Initiative on Computational Economics (ZICE17) at the University of Zurich, Switzerland, from Tuesday, 24 January to Wednesday, 1 February 2017. ZICE17 will be a program for young scholars interested in applying computational methods to economics.
ZICE17 marks the sixth time that this computational workshop is held at the University of Zurich. ZICE17 has a similar objective and format as ZICE’s 2011 – 2017 and the past ICE (at the University of Chicago) workshops. The aim of ZICE17 is to create a collaborative community of computational scientists and economists by training young scholars (advanced graduate students) in state-of-the-art numerical methods and computer technology, and their application to economic modeling and analysis. The activities will begin with formal lectures on a range of topics – numerical optimization, dynamic programming, solution methods for dynamic economic models, and computationally intensive methods in statistics – followed by tutorials that familiarize participants with computer software applied to economic models. In addition, participants will work on assignments to facilitate the learning of numerical methods and will be able to speak with the lecturers about their own work during “office hours”.
The presenters will provide the participants with computer implementations of their solution methods for economic models. Most of these computer programs will be in the Matlab language. Therefore, it is of paramount importance that participants bring a laptop with a working version of Matlab to ZICE17 and have a solid knowledge of programming in Matlab.
Who can apply?
Graduate students from all universities are encouraged to apply to ZICE17. All applications will be considered equally; neither the citizenship of an applicant nor his or her current place of study will be a consideration in acceptance decisions. However, note that the workshop is for current PhD students only, ideally students in the 3rd year of their doctoral studies.
There will be no fee for participating in ZICE17. We will provide housing for participants at no charge (double rooms at Zurich Youth Hostel). Participants are responsible for transportation costs and for their meals. ZICE17 is funded by the University of Zurich.
Zurich Center for Computational Financial Economics (ZCCFE)
- computational methods with poorly understood properties that produce approximate solutions of unknown quality. The development of algorithms and their theoretical foundations for the use in economics is a task that can only be achieved by an interdisciplinary effort by scholars in economics, applied mathematics and computer science.
The aim of the ZCCFE is to promote the exchange and development of computational research tools as well as fostering a world-wide community in an emerging area of science.
Conferences and summer schools for PhD students must lead to closer interaction between applied economists, economic theorists and mathematicians to overcome computational challenges that have so far limited the application of computational methods to large scale problems in economics and finance.
Location and Directions
The workshop takes place at Plattenstrasse 14, which is the main building of the Department for Banking and Finance.
From the Airport to Zurich Main Station (Hauptbahnhof)
In order to get to Zurich main station, go to the railway station in the airport and take any train leaving in the direction of Zurich main station (Zürich Hauptbahnhof HB). The travel time to the main station is approximately 10 minutes. Before boarding the train, you have to purchase a ticket at one of the machines on the floor above the platforms. They are Touch-Screen machines and accept credit cards, should you not have the appropriate Swiss Franks available.
From Zurich Main Station to the University and the Department of Banking and Finance (DBF)
Main building University of Zurich (Green buildings, for the Mensa see KOH)
Main building DBF (conference venue and workroom at Plattenstrasse 14)
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://www.zccfe.uzh.ch/en/zice17/announcement.html