International Programme in Economics and Finance

On October 16, 2026, ICEF, HSE University hosted the Eighth International Conference on Applied Economics. Held fully offline, the conference brought researchers from HSE University, the New Economic School, Wuhan University, and Shandong University together in Moscow. A distinctive feature of the conference was its focus not simply on presenting results, but on actively engaging with the data: each presentation was allocated 30 minutes, yet discussions often began while the presentation was still under way, with questions about methodology and data sources naturally becoming part of the discussion of the findings. This format turned each presentation from a report on completed research into a collaborative effort to assess the robustness of the study. The programme was organised around three overarching themes — “Environment, Resources and Policy,” “Migration, Labour and Communication,” and “Consumption, Behaviour and Climate” — offering an opportunity to see how similar economic mechanisms operate in China, Pakistan, the United States, and Russia. The conference was organised by Fabian Slonimczyk (ICEF, HSE University), Shihe Fu (Wuhan University), and Maxim Nikitin (ICEF, HSE University).

What is China today — a vast manufacturing hub, a technological superpower, or a distinct civilizational model that is gradually reshaping conventional perceptions of the global economy? What do Russian entrepreneurs need to know to ensure that cooperation with Chinese partners delivers tangible results? These questions were at the heart of the lecture “China as a Challenge and an Opportunity” delivered to ICEF students by Professor Alexey Maslov, Doctor of Historical Sciences, a leading Russian expert on China and Asian countries, Director of the Institute of Asian and African Studies at Lomonosov Moscow State University, and visiting professor at HSE University. The meeting was moderated by Oleg Zamkov, Deputy Director of ICEF HSE University. The discussion went beyond economics, addressing the different ways in which Russia and China approach business relations, trust, and the very principles of doing business. Alexey Maslov has studied China, its history, culture, and contemporary social processes for many years. He recently published the book Tea with the Dragon: Traditions and Strategies for Doing Business in China, which was named the best non-fiction book of 2026.

ICEF has launched a new season of the ICEF Academy, a programme offering motivated students an enhanced academic and intellectual challenge. Oleg Zamkov, ICEF Deputy Director, welcomed the students and presented certificates to the winners of the programme for the 2025–2026 academic year. The top-performing students were awarded a fully funded trip, sponsored by ICEF, to the Summer School at Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (SWUFE) in China.

Vincent Fardeau, ICEF Associate Professor, has published his paper "Asymmetric Thin Markets" in the Journal of Financial Economics (JFE); the printed version appeared this month. This milestone coincides with another significant development: Vincent has successfully completed his major academic review and received tenure. In this interview, Vincent discusses the story behind the paper, the meaning of "asymmetric thin markets," the long road from his first breakthrough insight to final acceptance, and his advice for young scholars aiming for the top-tier journals.