The Summer School in Law Business and Economic Policy organizes a Public Event once a year. We invite guest speakers from the US and Switzerland with the aim of discussing a current political or economic topic from various perspectives. The panel discussion is open to all members of the University of Basel, students as well as the interested public.

Additionally, during the time of the Summer School a series of Research Events are conducted with the aim of engaging junior and senior members of the faculty as well as for the fellow colleagues from the Summer School. Current research is presented and discussed involving Ph.D. students and members of the faculty. The research events are productive meetings, strengthening the scientific network and exchanging new ideas.

Finally, in 2022, the Summer School has launched a Lecture Series in Law and Economics - a joint project of the Faculty of Business and Economics, the Faculty of Law, and the Research Network Responsible Digital Society.

"Why do Investors Vote Against Corporate Directors?"

Speaker: Prof. Dr. Sandeep Dahiya, Georgetown University and Visiting Professor at the Summer School of Law, Business and Economic Policy
Host: Prof. Georg Nöldeke
Faculty of Business and Economics, Peter Merian-Weg 6, 4052 Basel
Seminar room: S 13

Abstract:
Investors now hold directors responsible for newer issues including climate and board composition. Using different metrics for climate risk, we find a significant association between votes against directors and concerns about climate risk. Female directors receive fewer dissent votes, especially if they serve on the nominating committee. There is no such advantage if they hold leadership positions or have had a long tenure. When institutions publicly disclose their concerns about climate risk and board diversity in their rationale for voting against a director, there are more dissent votes and they result in firms taking actions to address the concerns.

"The Most Interesting Failed Merger Proposal You've Never Heard Of -- and the China Connection"

Speaker Dr. Russell Pittman, Director of Economic Research, Antitrust Division, U.S. Department of Justice
Hosts: Prof. Catherine Roux, Prof. Rolf Weder
Faculty of Business and Economics, Peter Merian-Weg 6, 4052 Basel
Seminar room: S13

Public Event "The Future of Research at U.S. Universities"

Speaker: Prof. David L. Yermack (Stern School NYU), Panelist: Prof. Antonio Loprieno (University of Basel), Host: Prof. Rolf Weder

U.S. universities are currently under fire. Professor Yermack’s talk will provide the background of the current debate and discuss possible solutions. Thereby, he will show that U.S. universities obtain significant research funding from government, especially in medicine and laboratory sciences. The Trump administration has upended this relationship, cancelling some grants, limiting overhead cost reimbursement, and leveraging future research funding to cause changes in universities’ culture and governance. Potential changes to tax laws also threaten universities’ funding from alumni donors. He will discuss the alternatives for universities to respond, including cutting ties with government and seeking alliances with commercial businesses.

Program

Research Workshop with Prof. Yakov Amihud, Stern School of Business, New York University

Host: Prof. Angelo Ranaldo
Faculty of Business and Economics, Peter Merian-Weg 6, 4052 Basel
Seminar room: S15

Research Event with Prof. Yakov Amihud, Stern School of Business, New York University on "Bankruptcy"

PhDs, Postdocs and Faculty Members are cordially invited to this session offered by Prof. Y. Amihud who currently teaches "Mergers, Acquisitions and Topics in Corporate Finance" as part of the Summer School Program at our Faculty.

Topic: Prof. Yakov Amihud will talk about Bankruptcy. Thereby he will start with his 2011 paper on the theme and then discuss about the regime in the US, which is different from that in some countries in Europe, and then add insights from a new paper on the 2005 change in the bankruptcy law in the US and its effect on liquidity.

Host: Prof. Rolf Weder
Faculty of Business and Economics, Peter Merian-Weg 6, 4052 Basel
Seminar room: S15