It is always with great pleasure that the Economics and Business department anticipate the arrival of the annual Adam Smith Institute’s lecture day as part of the University Preparation Programme. A large audience of Wilson’s economists explored issues such as free-market thinking associated with immigration, tax incentives, drug regulation, failures of government intervention and intergenerational ‘unfairness’. After each lecture, there was an opportunity for a robust and searching question and answer session, which students greatly enjoyed. At the end the day there was a chance for students to quiz the ASI team about working in the think tank world, life at university, the importance of networking and honing relevant skills and expertise. This section of the programme proved for many students the highlight of the event.

To add even more value to the day, the ASI agreed to host an essay competition on free market topics with the first prize being a week’s work experience at the Institute. The first prize (from a very competitive field) was won by Prince who produced a convincing essay on the economic benefits of immigration to the UK. Last year’s Adam Smith Institute essay winner Srujan is currently conducting research on net zero and nuclear power policy for them.

We would like to thank Dr Eamonn Butler, Daniel Pryor, Morgan Schondelmeier and John McDonald for making the day such a success.