The Italian Job Notes from my research leave by Andrea Saayman

Some notes about my research Economist focussing mainly on Tourism Economics Part of an active group Primary survey data collection Skill on the economics and data analysis Computer-based fuelled by Coffee Late nights

How economists think about output Production function Output Input

Marcel Proust “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.”

Where to get new eyes? One of the main reasons for research leave You need someone with potential to: Influence ideas Add skills Access technology you don’t have

My experience My world: How to work around it: 2 kids (9 and 12) with activities Husband with a job How to work around it: Short visits It has to be worthwhile – opportunity cost is high! People work with people 2 visits to colleagues in Italy University of Bologna and University of Brunico Both economists and economics departments that focus on TE

My experience Short visits are good for: But the downside: Getting exposed to others’ “eyes” Starting up new ideas and initiatives Brainstorming and work division Getting follow-up invitations But the downside: Just when you start settling in, you have to return Takes longer to finish collaborative research

My experience I was: Be prepared: Underprepared Too optimistic Things don’t always work out the way you envisaged it. Know what you bring to the table Know what your collaborator brings to the table

Insomma “As long as men are free to ask what they must, free to say what they think, free to think what they will, freedom can never be lost and science can never regress.” - Marcel Proust