Apologies for cross-posting. Dear colleagues, We are happy to announce that we will be presenting two talks at the Economics Seminar Series in April. We extend a warm welcome to our guest, Tekin Kose from HERU at the University of Aberdeen, and our newest member of the Economics Division, Rachel Scarfe. Both will be sharing their research findings in the field of applied economics. We would be delighted by your presence and support for this event. Please respond to this invitation by 22 March and indicate whether you will be joining, including the buffet lunch, to help us plan catering requirements and to choose an appropriate venue. When: Wednesday, April 17, 2024 12:00 PM-2:30 PM. Where: C.2B76 12:00-13:00 – Rachel Scarfe, Economics, University of Stirling, “Long-term trends in part-time work” Abstract: In this paper I document new stylised facts about part-time work. First, in many European countries, including the UK, there has been a substantial increase in the percentage of men working part-time since the 1990s. At the same time, the female part-time share has remained stable, or fallen slightly, so that the net effect is a slight increase in the overall part-time share. There has also been an increase in part-time work on the extensive margin; fewer people work very low hours and more work between 20 and 30 hours per week. Second, despite this increase in the quantity of part-time work, the difference in average hourly pay for part-time and full-time work has steadily decreased. In this paper I develop a model of the labour market which can explain both firms’ and workers’ preferences for part- and full-time work. In the equilibrium of the model, part- and full-time workers undertake different tasks. As a result, the model can endogenously generate earnings that are non-linear in hours worked and can explain the patterns seen in the data. 13:00-13:30 – buffet lunch 13:30-14:30 – Tekin Kose, HERU, University of Aberdeen, “Assessing Health and Wellbeing of Individuals with or without a Fibromyalgia Diagnosis: Evidence from the PACFiND Study” Abstract: This study aims to explore determinants of health status and wellbeing of individuals who have and have not received a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with people who had a fibromyalgia diagnosis, who was not diagnosed but met criteria for fibromyalgia, and who had pain that is not associated with fibromyalgia. The sample is selected from participants of a previous population survey in Scotland and responses are collected through a postal questionnaire. EQ[1]5D-5L and ICECAP-A survey questions are utilized for measurement of health and wellbeing levels of participants. Generalized linear models and Quantile regressions are used for empirical analysis. Findings reveal that there are no significant differences in average health statuses and wellbeing levels of individuals who have a diagnosis of fibromyalgia and who met the criteria for fibromyalgia without a diagnosis. However, individuals with other type of pain report higher average health and wellbeing indicators compared to those with fibromyalgia related diagnosis or symptoms. Participants who are unemployed due to an illness consistently report lower health and wellbeing. Single report significantly lower wellbeing. The Glasgow effect is observed in health and wellbeing measures of this sample. Frequent hospital visits are associated with lower health and wellbeing levels. Regardless of diagnosis status, individuals with fibromyalgia symptoms display similar health-related quality of life and wellbeing levels. Having a diagnosis of fibromyalgia would not improve health and wellbeing of patients. Health services should primarily focus on improving quality of life for individuals with FM symptoms rather than achieving a quicker diagnosis. I look forward to seeing you there. Seda Prof Seda Erdem Joint Head of Economics Member of Behavioral Science Centre Stirling Management School University of Stirling, Stirling, UK [Title: Email - Description: email-icon] seda.erdem@stir.ac.uk<mailto:seda.erdem@stir.ac.uk> [Title: phone - Description: phone-icon] +44 (0) 17 8646 7478 [Title: website - Description: website-icon] www.sedaerdem.com<http://www.sedaerdem.com/> ________________________________ Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC 011159