Long considered the preserve of bleak financial forecasting, the discipline of economics has in recent years become practically cool. Now that the tools of economic analysis extend into the idea of the good life itself, should those who shape public policy use economic data to improve the happiness of their citizens?

An inaugural panel discussion for the Trinity Economic Forum, this event features speakers from a range of disciplines and professional backgrounds to address the state of behavioural economic theory and the economics of public policy, with regard to the role of government in making people’s lives better – whatever “better” might mean.

Speakers include Michael Dowling, a lectuer in Finance at Dublin City University; Brendan Walsh, a distinguished economist and former UCD Professor of Economics; and Sean Barrett, Dublin University’s own Senator and Professor of Economics.