The Laboratory of Economic Analysis and Policy (LEAP) was established and operates within the Department of Economics, at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, as a non-for-profit research institution.
LEAP's objectives are among others:
- the development, dissemination and promotion of its staff research in the area of theoretical and applied analysis and policy
- the quantitative assessment of specific economic and social policies in the EU, Greece as well as in other states of Southern Balkans and in all sectors of the economy
- The creation of an observatory for in-depth analysis of business cycles in the Southern Balkan economies and the transfer of knowledge among higher education institutions
Our applied and empirical research covers diverse topics such as:
- transborder trade
- transborder labor markets
- capital markets
- infrastructure (energy, transport, telecom)
- agriculture, industry, services (tourism, health, education, leisure)
- environmental and natural resources issues
- issues in national, regional and local development
LEAP undertakes activities such as:
- Development research and studies, development programmes, cost-benefit analysis and assessement of development measures and policies in Greece and abroad, financed by private as well as public institutions and in collaboration with Greek and International Organizations
- Publication and dissemination of theoretical and applied knolwedge generated in the Laboratory, lectures, seminars and conferences as well as participation in corresponding activities abroad within stated objectives
- Communication and cooperation with International Organizations, foreign Institutes and Centers, within the Laboratory's scope
- Publication of books, collective volumes, studies, newsletters, scientific reviewsand working papers
The Director of LEAP
Nikos C. Varsakelis
Associate Professor