Young Scholars Programme: Economics, Policy and Governance

Young Scholars Programme: Economics, Policy and Governance

Exploring the Intersections of Our World

Embark on a transformative journey with the Young Scholars Programme Economics, Policy and Governance (YSP EPG), a five-day residential programme for high schoolers, from grades 9, 10, 11 & 12, poised to be the next generation of global thinkers and thought pioneers. The programme is an interdisciplinary exposure designed to give deep insights and rich perspectives of our world and nuances of governance in dialogic sessions with policy & action workshops. Leading faculty such as Prof Ashwini Deshpande and Prof Bhaskar Dutta, public intellectuals such as Mr. Anil Swarup and policy think tanks such as Centre for Civil Society will engage with students on topics like economic policies, global market trends, nuances of governance and policy workshops.

This interdisciplinary playground brings together economic theories, government policies, cultural values, and societal dynamics in a vibrant mix of ideas. This programme is uniquely designed for students curious to explore university-level learnings from any of the streams covering Economics, Policy, Political Science, Law, Sociology/ Psephology as well as their interconnections with varied disciplines and equips them for a future of informed decision-making and impactful change. Faculty and experts such as Prof Swargajyoti Gohain, Prof Rudrangshu Mukherjee and Anil Swarup conduct dialogic sessions and interact with them on relevant topics and concepts. Students also attend workshops with the Centre for Civil Society, Centre for Economic Data & Analysis and Ashoka’s Economics Society and work on projects to apply the concepts they learn in real world contexts.

Explore the intersections of our world & embark on a journey to drive meaningful change  

At YSP EPG, we will explore issues that impact us every day, and find solutions based in logic and inspired from academic learning. Join us in exploring questions like: how does the intricate movement of macroeconomics influence the decisions made by politicians? What’s the story behind the policies that govern our online lives? Do they safeguard our freedoms or veer into the realm of censorship? Who controls our data from varied social media apps, and why is it necessary to protect it? Who gets to decide between the march of infrastructural progress and the preservation of indigenous land practices? And, as most parts of the world witness a drop in temperature, let’s also ask why the capital of India becomes shrouded in smog for a couple of months. What’s causing this annual phenomenon, and what can be done to clear the air?

As part of YSP EPG, you’ll explore the workings of interconnected disciplines within social sciences and allied fields. Think Economics, History, Sociology, Political Science, Geography, and exciting newcomers like Digital Humanities, Environment and Sustainability, Law and Policy – they’re all on the menu. Here, students won’t just be learning; they’ll be experiencing, debating, and creating.

Beyond academic enrichment, YSP EPG offers a holistic college experience. Scholars reside in student dormitories, savor meals at Ashoka’s diverse dining facilities, engage in sports activities and activities such as Talent Night, Networking Night, Quizzes, Debates and so on. Our scholars forge lasting bonds with like-minded peers from across India and the globe. It’s an immersive journey into the world of psychology, individual and group behavior, fostering curiosity, collaboration, and innovation.

Hands-on projects at YSP EPG

Beyond classroom learning, YSP EPG offers hands-on experience. Students will participate in workshops where they’ll design solutions to pressing challenges. Activities include policy drafting simulations, policy analysis exercises, data-driven decision-making sessions, and collaborative brainstorming activities that mirror real-world policy think tanks. These workshops are creative avenues where our scholars will get an opportunity to exercise application of intersecting disciplines like Economics, Psychology, Behavioral Sciences, Politics, Geography and related streams to become future leaders, academicians, and professionals in diverse walks of life.

By the programme’s conclusion, our Young Scholars will be equipped with a holistic understanding of the social, economic, and cultural intricacies of our world. They’ll emerge as informed citizens, ready to lead, analyze, and innovate, with a toolkit that emphasizes ethical considerations, interdisciplinary thinking, and a keen appreciation for the dynamics of economics and policy.

📢 Applications for YSP 2025 are now open!

With limited seats and rolling admissions, apply early to secure your spot. 

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Learning Outcomes

Knowledge:

-Students will gain a comprehensive introduction to interdisciplinary thinking in economics, sociology, data analysis, and their roles in policy-making. They will be equipped to approach problems with an emphasis on ethical considerations, understanding the importance of interdisciplinary thinking in addressing complex societal issues.
-Students will understand the key concepts of economics, including market dynamics, economic growth, and fiscal policies, and how they influence policy-making and governance.
-Students will explore the foundations of governance and policy-making, understanding how political institutions function and how policies are shaped at local, national, and global levels.
-Students will gain insights into the sociopolitical factors that drive societal changes, including social equity, justice, and the role of governance in addressing societal challenges.

Skills:

-Our scholars will develop the ability to critically analyze and evaluate economic theories, government policies, and societal dynamics, understanding their interconnectedness and implications.
-They will develop the ability to analyze complex issues from multiple perspectives, encouraging innovative solution-seeking and informed decision-making.
-Through hands-on activities and simulations, students will acquire skills in drafting, analyzing, and critiquing policies, understanding the multifaceted considerations that go into effective policy-making.
-Scholars will hone their communication skills, learning to articulate their ideas, analyses, and solutions effectively in both written and verbal formats.
-Students will develop data analysis skills to interpret and apply statistical information in solving economic and social issues, using real-world case studies.

Attitude:

-Engaging in group discussions and workshops, scholars will enhance their collaborative skills, learning to work with diverse perspectives to design impactful solutions to pressing challenges.
-Students will cultivate an ethical mindset, understanding the social and moral responsibilities involved in governance and policy-making, ensuring they approach challenges with integrity and fairness.
-Students will develop an open-minded attitude toward global governance challenges, recognizing the value of diverse perspectives in formulating policies that promote social equity and justice.
-Students will embrace interdisciplinary thinking, understanding that effective governance and policy-making require integration of economics, sociology, and political science to address complex societal issues.

Applications:

-Our carefully designed project-based learning model will help young scholars identify the utility of economics, policy, and fields that deal with society. This identification will aid their growth in diverse academic and professional endeavors.
-With a holistic introduction to interdisciplinarity, students will be better informed to make college and career decisions, understanding the vast interconnected opportunities and pathways available in the fields of economics, policy, and society.
-Students will apply economic and policy analysis to current global challenges, using simulations and case studies to explore potential solutions for issues like poverty, climate change, and inequality.
-Students will use collaborative problem-solving techniques to draft policy proposals, incorporating input from peers and instructors, and presenting their solutions to real-world governance challenges.

Sample Schedule

Delve into what makes the world around us as you explore the building blocks of the life you inhabit. In the YSP Economics, Policy, and Governance programme, students will explore the vast expanse of economics, from microeconomic principles like Supply and Demand, to macroeconomic concepts such as Inflation, Fiscal Policy, and Global Trade. Sample topics include The Role of Government in Economic Development, where students will examine how fiscal and monetary policies influence national growth; Public Policy and Social Equity, exploring how policies can address inequalities in education, health, and income distribution; Global Governance and Climate Change, analyzing international collaborations on environmental challenges; and Data-Driven Policy-Making, where students will learn how to use data analysis to inform policy decisions. They will also delve into Behavioral Economics, examining the psychological factors that influence economic decision-making.

By understanding the multifaceted nature of economics and its interplay with sociology, data analysis, environmental studies, and international relations, students will gain a richer perspective on the complexities of policy-making. Topics such as Sustainability and Economic Growth, Public Policy for Social Equity, and International Relations and Global Governance will ensure that scholars appreciate the interconnectedness of disciplines, fostering critical thinking and innovative approaches to solving societal challenges.

Guided by Ashoka’s world-renowned faculty, students collaborate with like-minded peers, immersing themselves in a vibrant experience of ideas and perspectives. The five-day residential programme entails faculty sessions that bring together interdisciplinary exposure to students with varied and niche interests within topics around Social Sciences and allied disciplines.

The sessions are enhanced by an addition of simulating workshops in the second-half of the day. These workshops are designed to foster creative and critical thinking, hone skills useful for career development, and build understanding for the applicability of social sciences.

A schedule for YSP EPG is given below*

YSP EPG Programme Schedule

Sample Faculty

Anuradha Saha

Associate Professor of Economics, Ashoka University

Ph.D. Indian Statistical Institute

Alexander Phillips

Assistant Professor of English,
Director of the MA programme, Ashoka University

Ph.D. Cornell University

Madhavi Menon

Professor of English,
Director, Centre for Studies in Gender & Sexuality, Ashoka University

Ph.D. Tufts University

Simantini Ghosh

Assistant Professor of Psychology, Ashoka University

Ph.D. University of Rochester

Mahesh Rangarajan

Professor of Environmental Studies and History
Chair (Hon.), Ashoka Archives of Contemporary India,

DPhil University of Oxford

Ananya Sharma

Assistant Professor of International Relations, Ashoka University

Ph.D. Jawaharlal Nehru University

Sample Inspiring Speakers

Jack Szostak

Nobel Laureate

Pramath Raj Sinha

Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Ashoka University
Founder and MD, Harappa Education
Founder and MD, 9.9 Group
Founding Dean, ISB
Visiting Faculty, Young India Fellowship

Ph.D. University of Pennsylvania

Deep Kalra

Founder, MakeMyTrip

BA Economics, St. Stephen’s College
MBA, IIM Ahmedabad

Sanjeev Bikhchandani

Founder and Vice-Chairman, Info Edge (Naukri.com)
Visiting Faculty, Young India Fellowship

BA, St. Stephen’s College
MBA, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad 

Ashish Dhawan

Founding Chairperson, Board of Trustees, Ashoka University
Advisory Council, The Isaac Centre for Public Policy and Good Governance, Ashoka University
Founder and Chairman, Central Square Foundation

BS, Yale University
MBA, Harvard University

K. VijayRaghavan

Former Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India

Somak Raychaudhury

Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Physics, Ashoka University

Ph.D. University of Cambridge

FAQs

1) What is The Young Scholars Programme: Economics, Policy, and Governance (YSP EPG)?

Young Scholars Programme Economics, Policy, and Governance (YSP EPG), a five-day residential programme for high schoolers, from grades 9, 10, 11 & 12, poised to be the next generation of global thinkers and thought pioneers. The programme is an interdisciplinary exposure designed to give deep insights and rich perspectives of our world and nuances of governance in dialogic sessions with policy & action workshops. Leading faculty such as Prof Ashwini Deshpande and Prof Bhaskar Dutta, public intellectuals such as Mr. Anil Swarup and policy think tanks such as Centre for Civil Society will engage with students on topics like economic policies, global market trends, nuances of governance and policy workshops.

2) Is YSP EPG, an online or offline event?

YSP EPG is a five-day programme to be held in person at Ashoka Campus.

3) What is liberal arts and sciences education?

Liberal Arts & Sciences education celebrates discussion and debate in the classroom. A Liberal Arts & Science education focuses on providing critical thinking skills and multiple perspectives to students, which is considered an essential part of leading an ethical and purposeful life. Essentially, it incorporates breadth and depth across multiple disciplines.

4) Do we get a certificate for attending The Young Scholars Programme?

Yes, students will be given a certificate on successful completion of the programme, provided all sessions are attended and there has been desirable participation by the student. Upon receipt of your certificate, please save it securely for your use later on. However, if you happen to lose it, a second copy of the certificate will be provided which will be chargeable for a sum of Rs. 500/-

5) Will attending the programme increase my chances of getting admission to the undergraduate programme at Ashoka University?

Attending the programme will give you an insight on liberal arts & sciences education and the Ashoka pedagogy. This will surely help you with your undergraduate application form at Ashoka University. However, this does not guarantee admission to the Ashoka UG programme.