An inaugural lecture by Professor Andy Lymer

• Registration and refreshments: 18:00
• Lecture: 18:30
• Wine reception: 19:30 - 20:00

No-one is unaffected by the current cost of living crisis. A perfect storm of national and global circumstances has led to pressures on all that are, certainly for many in the UK, unprecedented in scale and impact. Can research and researchers really have any impact on this crisis? Should we put down the tools of research to instead join the front line of those trying to make a difference at the coal face?

Professor Lymer, in this inaugural lecture, argues that research plays a pivotal role in understanding what is really happening currently. It challenges our practices and behaviours and offers new ways of thinking in particular in this case, about our relationship with money and wealth that could aid us in addressing the current issues faced. However, done well, it can also help to develop improved resilience and financial wellbeing that will better prepare us all for similar future challenges – personally or as a society. He will draw on his own work, and those of others engaged in this area, to highlight what differences research can make to this ‘wicked challenge’ and suggest areas in which more work is needed.

Andy Lymer is Professor of Taxation and Personal Finance, Head of the Accounting Department and Director of the Centre for Personal Financial Wellbeing at Aston University.

The Centre for Personal Financial Wellbeing is an interdisciplinary research centre that seeks to get to the heart of the causes and consequences of personal and household financial insecurity. It focuses on providing rigorous but accessible and timely insights for a wide range of leaders and decision-makers including those in government and involved in policy making, the financial service industry, third sector organisations and academic researchers as well as the general public.

The Centre’s research is focused around three key themes:

• exploring how to achieve effective personal financial wellbeing for different parts of society including how best to support people living on lower incomes

• improving our understanding of how to balance spending and savings, over the short and longer terms, and how to facilitate the development of a ‘nation of savers’

• supporting the development of more effective financial education to improve decision-making skills related to money.

Prior to joining Aston University in March 2021, Andy had an extensive career at the Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham where he worked for nearly 30 years, working in a variety of roles including Head of the Accounting Department, Director of Business Development and both Deputy Dean and Interim Dean. He was also a founder member and for several years until his move to Aston University the Director of the Research Centre on Household Assets and Savings Management (CHASM) at the University.

He currently holds honorary and visiting positions in South Africa and New Zealand and has previously held similar roles in the USA and Australia.

He researches and teaches in the fields of taxation (UK, comparative and international taxation) and of personal finance (financial education/literacy/capability and financial wellbeing).

Host or Publisher Aston University