Connecting economic research and policy in Spain: the Santander conference
Economic policy needs to be grounded in rigorous analysis through economic research. Connecting research and policymaking requires a sustained exchange of ideas between the two. That is exactly what the conference in Santander, organised annually by the Banco de España together with CEMFI and the Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo, sets out to do.
Economic research is most valuable when it is tested and debated. This requires spaces where researchers and policymakers can exchange ideas and challenge each other’s views. This dialogue improves research quality and makes it easier to apply its findings to economic policy. That is also why in-person conferences remain relevant, even in an increasingly online world. The Banco de España organises several such events each year. One of the most important is the Conference on the Spanish Economy, which is held in Santander. In this post, we explain how the conference began, how it is organised and what we’re expecting this year.
For decades, the Banco de España has demonstrated its strong commitment to economic research as one of its strategic pillars. A few months ago, it published the analysis priorities
that will guide its research over the coming years. This commitment is reflected not only in its own scientific output – which features regularly in leading academic journals – but also in the way that work is shared and discussed, through seminars, conferences and our website.
For decades, the Banco de España has demonstrated its strong commitment to economic research, reflected in a strong track record of high-quality research.
DID YOU KNOW ...?
The Banco de España organises many conferences, often in cooperation with other central banks, universities or international financial institutions.
Figure 1 shows around a dozen such events hosted over the past 12 months (the full list is available here). Some of these conferences and workshops are highly academic in nature, while others focus more on economic and policy debate. Attendance is by invitation.
The Banco de España also holds several research seminars each month at its headquarters in Cibeles, Madrid.
Figure 1
BANCO DE ESPAÑA CONFERENCES (click on the buttons for more details)
SOURCE: Banco de España
NOTES:
-Colours identify the type of event: orange is used for academic events where research papers are presented; blue highlights those focused on discussions about economic policies; and green marks events that combine research presentations with discussions on economic policy. The Santander Conference falls into this last category.
-Events co-organised with other institutions (the majority) are shown in boxes with a darker outline.
A central part of the research process is sharing, testing and discussing findings in forums, fostering the exchange of ideas and the analysis of the results among researchers with different perspectives and experiences, as well as with policymakers. This improves research and decision-making.
Although online conferences have become more common and are very convenient, in-person meetings still offer something that can’t be replicated. Often, the best ideas come up during a coffee break or in the corridor, as conversations continue beyond the formal sessions.
The Banco de España-CEMFI-UIMP Conference on the Spanish Economy
Cooperation with academic institutions is at the heart of this process. The Banco de España works closely with the Centre for Monetary and Financial Studies (CEMFI) (an internationally recognised institution based in Madrid, dedicated to economic research and education) and with the Menéndez Pelayo International University (UIMP), through its well-known summer courses.
This partnership brings together academic excellence, policy discussion and a commitment to outreach in an ideal setting for exchanging ideas: the Palacio de la Magdalena in Santander.
The Conference on the Spanish Economy was created to bring together leading researchers and public officials to discuss key issues facing the Spanish economy. Since its first edition in 2022, it has established itself as a forum for analysis and debate, combining academic sessions with dedicated discussions on economic policy. A wide range of topics have been covered, as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2
WHICH TOPICS HAS THE SANTANDER CONFERENCE ON THE SPANISH ECONOMY COVERED?
SOURCE: Banco de España
The conference includes invited papers: leading international researchers present work prepared specifically on the topics proposed each year by the Banco de España. Each paper is paired with a discussant, helping to ensure a rigorous and in-depth academic discussion.
The conference also features panel discussions, where researchers and policymakers exchange views. These help to compare and contrast theoretical findings with the experience and priorities of those designing and implementing public policy, thereby fostering an informed dialogue between the two fields.
The conference’s impact extends beyond the event itself through the publication of the invited papers. In partnership with the Spanish Economic Association (AEE) and following the usual peer review process, the papers are published in a special issue of SERIEs– Journal of the Spanish Economic Association. This allows the papers presented to be taken forward, enhancing their impact and making the findings available to a specialist audience.
DID YOU KNOW ...?
The latest special issue of SERIEs includes the papers presented at the conference in 2024. They are available here.
2026: Housing and Institutions
The fifth edition of the conference (2-3 July 2026) is about “Housing and Institutions: Challenges and Opportunities for Spain”.
This year’s programme includes sessions on housing supply, its regulation and effects on economic efficiency, and the role of institutions and regulatory quality. These sessions are technical and academic in nature. There will also be two panel discussions focusing on the current challenges facing the housing market and the importance of economic institutions after 50 years of democracy. The conference will open with a conversation on the relationship between monetary policy and institutions between the Governor of the Banco de España and the President of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.
This year’s conference explores housing challenges and the role of institutions, with a particular focus on how they have developed over 50 years of democracy.
The choice of topics could hardly be more timely. Housing affordability problems, their links to demographic trends and the need for strong and effective institutions are now at the very centre of the economic debate. Analysing these issues rigorously, from both academic and policy perspective, helps build a clearer understanding of the challenges and point towards more effective policy responses.
This conference is a clear example of the value of institutional cooperation. It links rigorous research, informed debate and economic policymaking. In doing so, it contributes to a broader reflection on the challenges facing the Spanish economy and underlines the Banco de España's commitment to knowledge, transparency and public debate.
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this blog post are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily coincide with those of the Banco de España or the Eurosystem.