University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), the Economy and Environment Partnership for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA) and the Environment for Development (EfD) center in Vietnam are proud to announce the upcoming Summer School on "Environmental Valuation using Discrete Choice Experiment: Strategies for Sustainable Development in Southeast Asia". This intensive 5-day program aims to equip early-career researchers with the necessary skills and knowledge to address pressing environmental challenges in Southeast Asia through the application of Discrete Choice Experiments (DCEs).

INTRODUCTION

In Southeast Asia, climate change and rapid industrialization imperil ecosystems and vital natural resources, essential for agricultural economies and sustaining millions. Addressing these challenges prompts urgent questions for research and policy. With resource constraints, prioritizing adaptation measures becomes crucial, necessitating techniques to assess costs and benefits for the development of effective and fair strategies.

The objective of this Summer School extends beyond addressing environmental concerns; it serves as a platform for equipping participants with versatile tools applicable across diverse disciplines. Discrete Choice Experiments (DCEs) are introduced as a methodology and tool to measure preferences and trade-offs concerning climate, environmental, and resource factors in a Southeast Asian context. Participants will delve into the theoretical underpinnings of DCEs, learn the practical steps to conduct Choice Experiments, explore advanced econometric models, and understand the limitations of the DCE approach.

Beyond environmental domains, the course underscores the broader applicability of DCEs in various disciplines, including marketing, public policy, health, and development. Initially applied to transportation and environmental valuation, choice models have evolved into widely utilized analytical methods, shaping decisions in consumer behavior, investment strategies, and individual choice behavior across numerous sectors.

This Summer School provides an invaluable opportunity for early-career researchers in Southeast Asia to engage with experts, exchange knowledge, and showcase their own research endeavors. The course is based completely on R open access software but also some features of the survey platform Survey Engine is shown.

RESOURCE PERSONS

• Prof. Petr Mariel, University of the Basque Country, Spain

• Dr. Juergen Meyerhoff, Berlin School of Economics and Law, Germany

• Prof. Sven Anders, University of Alberta, Canada

Petr Mariel holds the position of Full Professor at the Department of Quantitative Methods at the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU in Bilbao, Spain. He delivers both introductory and advanced master courses in quantitative methods to students specializing in Economics. Professor Mariel's pedagogy predominantly relies on simulation techniques, utilizing the open-source programming language and statistical computing environment, R (https://www.r-project.org/). In his research pursuits, Prof. Mariel focuses on discrete choice modelling, primarily in the realm of environmental valuation. However, his expertise extends to areas such as health economics, public policy, and urban economics. He boasts a prolific publication record in esteemed academic journals and has also provided consultancy services to both public and private sector entities.

Juergen Meyerhoff holds the esteemed position of Senior Researcher at HWR Berlin, where his multifaceted role encompasses project leadership, public policy consultation, and editorial responsibilities for specialized journals in the realms of environmental and ecological economics. With a rich and illustrious research background, Dr. Meyerhoff has made substantial contributions to numerous research initiatives and has been a key figure in the publication of scientific works of significance. His extensive involvement in projects and publications has been particularly notable within the framework of the European Union's Sixth and Seventh Framework Programs, where his expertise has been instrumental in advancing the understanding and discourse surrounding pressing environmental and ecological issues.

Sven Anders is a Professor of Resource Economics at the University of Alberta, Canada. His research focuses on the economics of agriculture and energy transition that seeks to advance our understanding of individuals' decision-making on complex, policy-relevant topics. Using survey and experimental methods his work provides insights into consumer and producer behavior that helps advance markets, policy, and welfare outcomes. Through his research, Prof. Anders takes a keen interest in the many relationships between energy transition, agriculture, and the environment under changing climatic conditions. Prof. Anders teaches courses in the field of agricultural economics, food systems and marketing economics at both bachelor and Master levels.