Summary

I am currently employed as a Senior Lecturer in the Subject Group of Economics and Finance. In 2019/2020, I have been teaching Econometric Methods and Statistics for Economics, as well as pursuing research in the areas of Applied Macroeconomics and Higher Education. Since December 2019, I have been a member of the Engagement Forum of the Faculty of Business and Law. I also represent Economics and Finance within the Academic Staff Association. For several years, I have organised the annual Economics alumni event. Also, I have been pleased to contribute towards discussions concerning strategy, diversity and culture.

Biography

I received a first-class B.A. (Honours) Economics degree in 1978, having spent three years studying at Manchester Polytechnic. Subsequently, I moved to the University of Manchester for a year for the purpose of achieving an MA degree in Econometrics.

In 1979, I took up the position of research assistant at Dundee University, where I contributed towards the construction of an econometric model of Scotland. 

Between 1980 and 1982, I worked as a general research assistant in the Department of Economics at Queen Mary College (University of London). Two temporary teaching positions followed at the University of Exeter (1982-1983) and the University of Leeds (1983-1985).

There then occurred a two-year stay (1985-1987) at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, where I was supporting G.D.N. Worswick produce a book on unemployment (Unemployment: A Problem of Policy).

From 1987 to 2001, I fulfilled the role of lecturer in Economics at Newcastle-upon-Tyne Polytechnic/University of Northumbria. Principally, I was responsible for teaching Econometrics and Macroeconomics.

In 2001, I registered for a Ph.D. at Durham University, researching the topic of the relationship between the price of oil and UK macroeconomic performance.

Having been offered the position of lecturer in International Economics by the University of Portsmouth in December 2003, I assumed this role in February 2004 (on the day on which the Richmond Building was opened). Correspondingly, my Ph.D. registration was transferred to the University of Portsmouth, and a successful completion of the thesis followed.

I have since remained at the University of Portsmouth, teaching Econometrics, Macroeconomics and International Economics. Also, for ten years (2006-2016), I operated as the Director of Undergraduate Programmes in Economics. I am currently employed on a (30 per cent) fractional basis. However, from September 2020, this fraction will increase to 60 per cent.

Research interests

My research has primarily involved applying econometric techniques to macroeconomic time-series data. My Ph.D. topic was an econometric investigation of the relationship between the price of oil and UK macroeconomic performance. More recently, interest has focused upon the usefulness of measures of consumer confidence in predicting household consumption expenditure. Publications have been achieved in the European Economic Review, Applied Economics, and Applied Economics Letters. My latest paper concerning consumer sentiment is currently under review by Empirical Economics.

Teaching responsibilities

I currently contribute towards the modules:

Econometric Methods (U20451); Statistics for Economics (U25866).

I am also available to final-year Economics undergraduate students for the purpose of helping them with their dissertations.

Media availability

I would be pleased to receive telephone calls and e-mail messages from the media concerning my research and am aware of the need to respond to journalists in a timely manner. My contact details are 02392844031 and Robert.Gausden@port.ac.uk.