Founded on partnership between academia and practice
Oxford Elevate emerged from collaboration between Oxford economists and industry leaders who believed that economic insight should inform real‑world decisions. Early cohorts included participants from major companies, government departments, and public institutions, alongside visiting speakers drawn from business, finance, trade unions, and public service.
This partnership model - academic rigour shaped by practical relevance, has remained central to the programme ever since. A dedicated steering committee, with strong alumni involvement, has helped ensure that the programme continually evolves in response to economic, social, and technological change, while remaining grounded in Oxford’s research excellence.
Economics in its wider context
Across decades of global change: from post‑war reconstruction and industrial transformation to globalisation, financial crises, climate risk, and technological disruption, Oxford Elevate has maintained a clear intellectual focus: understanding business and policy within their broader economic, social, and institutional contexts.
Rather than promoting a single doctrine or set of tools, the programme has always encouraged debate, critical engagement, and the ability to interrogate assumptions. Participants are challenged to think beyond short‑term metrics and to consider long‑term consequences, trade‑offs, and systemic effects.
