Could you please describe yourself in a few sentences?
My name is Philip Hedges and I am the Course Leader for the Master’s in International Economic Policy and Analysis: both the MA and MSc pathways. I am a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Economics and Quantitative Methods and began teaching at the University of Westminster in 2000.
I took my BA degree in Economic History at the University of Liverpool and studied my MA in Economics and my PGCE in Economics and Business Education at Staffordshire University. I studied for a PhD at the University of East Anglia.
Which area of academia are you most passionate about and why?
I specialise in Industrial Organisation and Economics in particular product innovation and variety in the recorded music industry. I enjoyed Economics as a new subject at my sixth-form college and was inspired by a brilliant teacher. Economics relates to the decisions that people, firms and governments make on a daily basis – we are all Economists even if we don’t formally appreciate this fact.
Tell us a bit about your course (MA/MSc International Economic Policy & Analysis) – what will students learn and experience and what will they take away with them?
The MA/MSc International Economic Policy and Analysis offers an advanced treatment of microeconomics, macroeconomics, quantitative analysis and research within applied and international contexts. Successful students will be able to apply and communicate economic concepts and tools in a variety of contexts and will be equipped to enter the spheres of public sector policy analysis, private sector appraisal and also further routes into academia.
What features and attributes distinguish your course from comparable postgraduate programmes taught at other institutions?
We have the unique distinction of being the only Masters programme in England and Wales to be recommended by the Government Economic Service (GES). The course specialises in developing the student’s ability to apply and communicate complex economic ideas and perspectives. Our Economics Society organises guest speakers and events and is run by Westminster Business School undergraduate and postgraduate students.
What was your first job? What did you learn from it?
My first job after my BA degree was as an Administrative Officer at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in London. The job entailed coding of information recorded in regular as well as bespoke surveys and editing computer readable data in the Primary Analysis Branch. I learnt a number of things including the importance of collecting and analysing data for the government, time management and communication skills.
Who or what is your inspiration in life?
People who strive to improve their own and other’s wellbeing through effort and ingenuity.
If you had five top tips for new postgraduate students at Westminster Business School, what would they be?
- Make sure you make every attempt to attend the orientation & induction events before formal teaching begins.
- If you have a question about anything you should feel free to ask the most relevant person i.e. the Module Leader, the Librarian, your Course Administrator or Course Leader.
- Try to devote at least 15 hours of personal reading and preparation per teaching week for your modules.
- Get to know other students on the course as soon as possible: they will be your learning colleagues and friends for the duration of your time at Westminster Business School and beyond.
- The University has many resources and opportunities available for learning purposes: learn to find out how they can be accessed.
What piece of advice would you give to students about to embark on their Postgraduate studies?
Start thinking about what interests you about the subject since you will undertake a project of your own choosing on the Masters and refresh your economics toolkit by reading chapters from textbooks such as Mankiw and Taylor (2011) Economics.
How do you relax and unwind during your spare time?
I collect and listen to vinyl records and I also play guitar and compose my own music.
What do you think is special about Westminster Business School?
Westminster Business School has excellent resources and a diverse range of teaching staff expertise gained from public, private and academic sectors. As an employer the University cares for its staff and offers continuous training opportunities.
What is the most rewarding part of working at Westminster Business School?
Seeing the students develop the various skills and knowledge throughout the course and then moving on to secure interesting employment.
Who is your favourite author and why?
My favourite author is David Lodge, a former Professor of English at the University of Birmingham. He has been writing since the 1960s and has published a number of fictional books which fall into the genre known as “campus novels”. I used one of his novels as my inspiration when studying A-level English Literature as a 17-year-old and had some correspondence with him at the time. I met him a couple of years ago at the hotel in Malta where we were both staying and he took me along as a guest to a talk he was giving at the University of Malta.
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You are great Sir, you inspired me fron your little profile. keep the good works
You are too kind!
Phil
Have you written and published journal articles and if so which ones?
Here’s a list of work Musah.
Thanks for your interest.
Phil
Hedges, P. (2015) ‘Why Assessment Format Matters’ In: Developments in Economics Education (DEE) Conference 2015, University of Birmingham.
Urwin, P., S. D’Costa, M. Lister, V. Rich and P. Hedges (2014) ‘Housing policy in high-density cities: A cost benefit model of sub-market rental accommodation in Central London’, Commissioned by the Dolphin Square Foundation.
Hedges, P. and P. Urwin (2013) ‘Student Choices of Topic Areas: What Can We Learn?’ In: Developments in Economics Education (DEE) Conference 2013, University of Exeter.
Hedges, P. and P. Urwin (2011) ‘Developing and assessing the communication skills of MSc Applied Economics students.’ In: Developments in Economics Education (DEE) Conference 2011, London School of Political Science and Economics.
Hedges, P. (2009) ‘Designing a new Masters in Applied Economics.’ In: Developments in Economics Education (DEE) Conference 2009, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff.
Urwin, P., V. Karuk, P. Hedges and F. Auton (2008), ‘The role of brands in UK economy and society’, Commissioned by the British Brands Group.
Urwin, P., P. Hedges and F. Buscha (2008) ‘Becoming A Government Economist: Who Passes, Who Fails?’ In: The Royal Economic Society Conference 2008, University of Warwick.
Hedges, P., Urwin, P. and Buscha, F. (2007) ‘What Makes A Good Government Economist?’ In: Developments in Economics Education (DEE) Conference 2007, University of Cambridge.
Hedges, P. and Urwin, P. (2006) Comparing business student’s perceptions of their skills and abilities with actual performance: Does over-confidence influence progression to level 5? In: European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction (EARLI) Conference 2006, Northumbria University.
I am more fired up for this course after reading your profile and comments on the course sir.
I have a few questions though and I am not sure this is the right platform. How much of an economics and mathematical background will I require to be able to do this course? Will the elementary economics be taught or will there be a certain level of knowledge on the course that is expected before doing the course?
These are my worries, I hope I have sufficient background to do this course.
Hi Shola – many thanks for your feedback on the interview, we’re glad you enjoyed it! I have been in touch with the Course Leader, Phil Hedges who has left you this message:
Dear Shola
Thanks for the interest you have shown in the MA/MSc International Economic Policy & Analysis. The MA is intended more for those without any background in Economics but with some background in a quantitative or business-related discipline. Your work experience may also count towards your successful application. We have accepted students without any Economics and they have gone on to pass with distinctions.
You will need basic mathematical and statistical skills. Elementary economics readings are sent to you once you have accepted a place.
For greater detail about the course please see:
https://www.westminster.ac.uk/courses/subjects/accounting-finance-and-economics/postgraduate-courses/september/full-time/international-economic-policy-analysis-ma
If you have any other questions please just email me.
Regards,
Phil Hedges
Course Leader
email: hedgesp@westmister.ac.uk
Your brief description is highly inspirational,keep it up!
Thank you for your positive message!
Phil