LSEG Research Grant Competition - topics 23

List of suggested topics/areas of research projects

Global trends worth to consider while working on the projects

• Digital Transformation & Electronification
• Evolution of the investment community
• Continued Regulatory change
• Margin compression across financial services
• Accelerated focus on sustainability
• Inflation and macro-economic uncertainty
• Commodities evolution and path to net-zero
• Growth in data engineering and science

Some market and investment insights worth to keep in mind

• How diversity and inclusion drive ESG globally/in various regions?
• COP26: Final days a final chance to mitigate climate change?
• COVID-19 derails recovery in ASEAN economies?
• How might AI impact investment management?
• What does the end of LIBOR mean for €STR adoption?
• Sustainability initiatives redefine future for MENA?
• EU taxonomy: progress, data and the road ahead
• Emerging markets mid-year macroeconomic condition
• M&A activity globally/in various regions
• Economic surprises: indicators that impact markets the most

Some other paths that might be explored

• Analyse the long-term impact of frost events in Southeast Brazil on Brazilian coffee yields and prices during 2-3 consecutive seasons after appearance.
• Considering global warming, what are the risks and benefits of the extended growing season for spring crops in the Northern Hemisphere? Try to model the season’s duration based on the recent increase in temperature across Europe.
• Climate/Past weather analysis: What is the trend of Polar Vortex strength over the last 30 years? Are cold outbreaks during the winter less or more frequent and why?
• What was the impact of the pandemic in gas consumption in Europe? Are long-lasting consequences of the pandemic expected in gas consumption (demand destruction)? Compare with other regions where lockdowns were extended for a longer period of time.
• Does the reduction of Russian gas to Europe affected the price of other energy sources (i.e., LNG, coal or renewables)? If there is any relation, explain its mechanisms.
• What is the role of psychology and sociology in the business and economy?