Bringing Big Economic Ideas To Scotland
Scotland’s Festival of Economics is a unique, public-facing celebration of economic thinking—designed to challenge, inform, and inspire.
Taking place in Leith in March 2026, the festival brings together leading economists, commentators, campaigners, and curious citizens to explore BIG economic ideas.
In a time of economic uncertainty and growing inequality, Scotland’s Economics Festival offers a space to step back, ask BIG questions, and hear BIG IDEAS from fresh perspectives. Supported by a wide range of progressive organisations, the festival is rooted in the belief that the economy should serve people, place, and planet.
We welcome anyone with an interest in community, economics, ecology, politics, or society. Whether you’re frustrated by the status quo, confused by economic jargon, or simply curious about how things could be different—this festival is for you.
Partner Organisations
Scotland’s Economics Festival is open to everyone—students, workers, policy-makers, activists, and anyone trying to make sense of today’s economy.
If you believe Scotland needs BIG ideas, not just small tweaks, join us in Leith for over twenty talks across three days of future-shaping conversations.
Why this festival matters
Mainstream economic commentary can feel disconnected, technical, and repetitive. The same questions. The same myths. And the same answers. Is there really no alternative to the type of economy we have today? We think there is.
At Scotland’s Economics Festival, we create space for BIG ideas. Focused on practical thinking, grounded in real-world economics.
Our wide variety of speakers and talks go beyond the headlines to empower everyone to ask better questions. And to consider BIG economic ideas.
You belong here if you’re…
🧭 A Curious Citizen
You follow the news, and wonder why no one seems to ask the BIG questions. You want to understand how the economy really works—because it is not working for you or those you care about. You're not an economist. You care about how decisions affect your community, your country, and your future.
🗳 Politically Engaged
You’ve marched, campaigned, and volunteered for progressive movements—and you want to understand why certain economic ideas seem entrenched. You’re ready for a festival that speaks to your values and challenges the status quo with BIG, bold, credible alternatives.
📚 A Critical Thinker
You work in policy, research, education, or activism—or just enjoy a deep dive into economic systems and theory. You’re looking for heterodox perspectives, practical insight, and space to explore ideas that go beyond mainstream economics. You know that there is an alternative. And you want to hear exactly what that loosks like.
Some of Our Speakers
Professor john t harvey
Professor Harvey, AKA "The Cowboy Economist", Professor of Economics, Texas Christian University
dr ewan gibbs
Author, "An Injury to All: The Unmaking of the British Working Class"
Claire Godfrey
Executive Director, Balanced Economy Project
russell jones
Author, A Modern Economic History of Japan: Sho Ga Nai – It Is What It Is
Gordon Povey
Adam Smith Global Foundation
Patricia Pino
Research Fellow
MMTUK
our Three Festival themes
a new economy is in your hands
there is an alternative
Many of the stories we are told about our economy are untrue. Perhaps the most harmful is the idea that austerity (2010 - 2015 saw 300,000 premature deaths related to austerity) is the only option. There is an alternative based on a real-world understanding of our economy. "What we can do, we can afford" said J.M. Keynes. We will explain how we can and must create a wellbeing economy in Scotland.
money is power
Money buys you everything: including power. Taxing those with obscene wealth reduces their ability to exercise power. It also reduces their conspicuous consumption. Economic convention is wrong. We do not need the rich to save; we need to spread wealth much more equally to provide a decent life for all. Why we must reduce all forms of inequality, including income, wealth, and power.
we can make the change
Our institutions are socially constructed. Those in positions of power are making all the wrong decisions about our economy. There are no 'natural economic laws'. How we regulate energy markets, set arbitrary fiscal rules, decide on rent or food price caps, and who to exempt from tax are all political as well as economic decisions. We can and we must change those institutions.
What to expect
- Inspiring talks from leading economists and thinkers from Scotland and beyond
- Challenging debates and interactive discussions
- Welcoming spaces for new voices, diverse ideas, and alternative narratives
- A focus on public purpose, wellbeing, and ecological resilience
- Talks that make economics accessible, engaging, and enjoyable
- Concession, standard and solidarity prices to attend paid for sessions
- Free talks and lessons offering an opportunity for all to engage with new economic ideas
- A wide range of topics covered by our three themes: There is an alternative, Money is Power and We can make the change
Full Programme Available in December
We’re putting the finishing touches on something special – and soon, you’ll be able to explore all of our talks in detail.
Almost all of our speakers come from ‘heterodox economics’ schools of thought. We are seldom exposed to ‘alternative’ views of our economy. This is an opportunity to ask the BIG questions that really matter to you. And to receive real-world answers.
Thursday 19th March
Leith Dockers Club
5.00 pm - 6.00 pm: ONLINE The David Graeber Institute Presents
6.00 pm- 7.10 pm: Contending Perspectives in Economics with the Cowboy Economist
7.30 pm - 8.40 pm: Economic Myth Buster
9.00 pm - 10.15 pm: Historical Economic Injustice - why and how the past repeats itself, and how to break the cycle
Friday 20th march
the Out of the blue Drill Hall
12.30 - 13.40: Explaining That Austerity Is a Choice
14.00 - 15.00: Session six, tbc
15.30 - 16.30: Session seven, tbc
16.30 - 17.15: ONLINE Session eight, tbc
17.00 - 18.00: Fiscal Rules OK
18.15 - 19.30: A Modern Economic History of Japan
19.45 - 21.00: Session eleven, tbc
21.15 - 22.30: Economists v Comedians
Saturday 21st march
the out of the blue drill hall / rtw.studio
12.00 - 13.15: Session thirteen, tbc
13.45 - 15.00: Session fourteen, tbc
15.30 - 16.45*: Session fifteen, tbc
15.30 - 16.45*: Session sixteen, tbc
17.10 - 18.20*: Session seventeen, tbc
17.10 - 18.20*: Session eighteen, tbc
18.45 - 20.00*: Session nineteen, tbc
18.45 - 20.00*: Session twenty, tbc
20.20 - 21.30*: Session twenty one, tbc
20-20 - 21.30*: Session twenty two, tbc
*concurrent sessions
free economic chats and lessons, book signings, 'MMTea and Shortbread' chats. throughout friday and saturday at RTW.Studio open to all.
Buy Your Tickets
Twenty-two 1 hr(ish) sessions take place on Thursday, 17.00 to 22.30 Friday, 12.00 to 22.30, and Saturday, 12.00 to 21.00.
Full festival pass (only 100 passes available - will sell out before end of december)
Access to all LIVE sessions across the three-day festival
Access to all the LIVE-streamed and online sessions during the three-day festival
Post-festival access to all of the recorded sessions for three months
Flash the pass - Avoid queuing and stay in the venue between talks
Unlimited MMTea and Shordbread Passes
£100 concession
£125 standard
£150 solidarity
Please note, there will be a few concurrent sessions, so you will have to make a few difficult choices (but remember, almost all sessions will be recorded)
Keep up to date with our speaker and session announcements
Event Location
Smashing spaces across Leith
Real economics for people, Places, and planet.
Frequently asked questions
Easy! Just click on the website to book online. We offer three levels of tickets. It is important to us that everyone who wants to attend is not put off by a large fee. Our concession price is available to anyone. Our standard price helps us break even. Our ‘solidarity’ fee helps us keep the learning going and will enable us to bring even BIGGER economic ideas to Scotland next year.
Absolutely. You can purchase a ticket for any individual talk. Or you can purchase all the talsk you fancy. You can also purchase our Festival Pass We’ve designed this to be flexible, so you can make the most of your time in Leith and at Scotland’s Economics Festival.
Yes, get in touch with us. If you’re attending with colleagues, we offer discounted group rates for three or more attendees. It’s a brilliant way to learn together and get even more value from the experience.
We’ve got you. Our Online Pass includes live access to both Thursday and Friday sessions, downloadable resources, and 3 months of on-demand replay access. Perfect if you’re tuning in from afar (or rewatching in your own time).
We’ve created a downloadable Business Case Letter to help you make the case for funding, along with a cheat sheet to answer common objections. These tools are designed to show how attending supports your development and delivers ROI for your business.
Yes – all Thursday and Friday sessions (both in-person and online) are recorded. Full access is included with every ticket type except the one-day pass, which includes recordings only for the selected day.
The EA Campus Conference will be held at ISH Venues, 229 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 5PN. It’s a central, accessible location with excellent transport links. The nearest tube station is Great Portland Street (just a 2-minute walk), and Warren Street and Regent’s Park stations are nearby. You’ll find plenty of accommodation, cafés, and amenities nearby to make your visit smooth and enjoyable.
Due to the limited number of tickets and the upfront investment required to deliver the event, all bookings are final and non-refundable. No exceptions will be made. However, you are welcome to transfer your ticket to a colleague.
Failure to attend the event does not entitle the ticket holder to a refund or credit.