The Institute of Economic Affairs is commissioning a new lifestyle economics paper as part of its research output in 2019. Our lifestyle unit has been publishing research on paternalistic regulation since 2013, subjecting topical policy proposals to rigorous economic analysis to reveal the costs, benefits and unintended consequences of taxation and regulation. We have covered a wide range of controversial activities and products, including e-cigarettes, alcohol, casinos, sex work, cannabis and sugar.

We are now looking for proposals for original Discussion Papers of 5,000 to 10,000 words focusing on any the following areas of policy: tobacco/nicotine, alcohol, gambling or obesity. Authors are encouraged to focus on any aspect of these issues so long as the research includes empirical evidence and economic theory and fits the IEA’s mission to ‘improve understanding of the fundamental institutions of a free society by analysing and expounding the role of markets in solving economic and social problems’. For example, you may choose to review existing evidence, assess claims made by stakeholders,  evaluate relevant policies that have been implemented in the past, or propose novel solutions of your own.

If selected, authors will be paid a fee upon publication. All IEA Discussion Papers are peer-reviewed. The publication is expected to be released in autumn 2019 and authors should be willing to explain their findings in the media if requested.

To apply, please send your CV and a brief proposal of up to 500 words explaining your choice of subject, the question you want to answer, your methodology and your expected timeframe to our head of lifestyle economics, Christopher Snowdon:  csnowdon@iea.org.uk.

Submissions should be received by 30 June 2019.

For examples of IEA lifestyle papers see Cheap as Chips, Sweet Truth, Smoking and the Public Purse, and Vaping Solutions.