A monthly lunch conversation on the future of social sciences

Why is the cultural economics discipline interested in digital innovation and what does it bring to the study of these innovations, such as blockchain? Join us for this month’s Eat Your Discipline where we discuss the future of Cultural Economics and Digitalization together with dr. Christian Handke, prof. Jason Potts and dr. Mariangela Lavanga and alumnus Pablo Pérez Le Maignan. 

During this monthly lunch series, we assess the current state of different disciplines and question how these have and can contribute to tackling complex societal challenges. Cultural economics is a discipline that apply economic analysis to the arts and cultural industries. It aims at a better understanding of the economic, business, social and policy aspects related to the arts and culture. In recent times digitalization has brought a lot of new opportunities to the cultural and creative sector, but how do cultural economists study digital innovations and what is their contribution?  

A disciplinary panel consisting of dr. Christian Handke (Associate Professor of Cultural Economics, ESHCC) and Distinguished Professor Jason Potts (Co-Director, RMIT Blockchain Innovation Hub, RMIT University) will discuss the future of the cultural economics discipline. Pablo Pérez Le Maignan graduated from the masters in Cultural Economics last year. Their conversation will be moderated by dr. Mariangela Lavanga (Associate Professor of Cultural Economics and Entrepreneurship, ESHCC and DIT academic). Join the conversation to share your thoughts! 

Digital Innovation, Blockchain and NFTs 

Dr. Christian Handke is Associate professor of Cultural Economics at ESHCC, President of the Society for Economic Research on Copyright Issues (SERCI) and Executive Board member of the Association of Cultural Economics International (ACEI). He will discuss the economics of copyright, innovation and technological change in the cultural industries. Distinguished professor Jason Potts is director of the RMIT Blockchain Innovation Hub, the world’s first research centre on the social science of blockchain. He will discuss what social sciences, in particular cultural economics, can bring to the research on blockchain and how blockchain could reshape the future of the creative industries. MA Cultural Economics & Entrepreneurship alumnus Pablo Pérez Le Maignan wrote a thesis on NFTs market and blockchain last year and will share his view on how students are being prepared to contribute to tackling complex societal challenges after graduating. Dr. Mariangela Lavanga researches and teaches on cultural and creative industries, with a focus on sustainability transition in the fashion and textile industry with active stakeholders’ engagement.  

Signing up

This lunch session is a great opportunity for (cultural) economics students and academics to discuss societal challenges and what it means to look at them within this discipline. If you’re not yet familiar with cultural economics, moderator Mariangela will start with a brief introduction to make sure everyone is able to follow along. Sign up below to receive the zoom link for the event.  

Would you like to critically discuss your own discipline? Please reach out to dit@eur.nl.