Connecting the dots

Ever wondered why prices keep changing, what causes a cost-of-living crisis, or how finance can help tackle some of society’s biggest challenges? This workshop gives you the chance to find out through animated videos, games, discussion and debate. Throughout the workshop, you'll take part in an interactive session designed to get everyone involved. You could also get access to follow up materials after workshop ends.

The economy isn't just something you hear about on the news, it affects your life every day. From the price of your favourite snacks to future job opportunities, economic decisions have a real impact on the world around you.

In this interactive workshop, you'll explore how economics and finance connect to issues that matter to you. You'll build your financial knowledge, develop your critical thinking skills, and gain confidence in discussing topics that often seem confusing or out of reach. Most importantly, you'll discover that finance is about much more than money. It can help tackle social challenges, create opportunities, drive innovation and support a more sustainable future.

The workshop is split into two exciting stages:

Stage 1: Economics in Real Life

• You'll discover how inflation, interest rates and rising prices influence your everyday life. Through interactive videos and hands-on activities, you'll explore how the economy works and why understanding it can help you make sense of the world around you.

Stage 2: Fact or Fiction?

• You'll put your critical thinking skills into action by exploring topics such as the cost-of-living crisis, financial technology (FinTech), financial inclusion and sustainability. Working as a team, you'll investigate claims, separate fact from fiction, debate different viewpoints and build evidence-based arguments about the role finance plays in society.

By the end of the workshop, you'll have a fresh perspective on economics and finance, and a better understanding of how these ideas shape your life, your community and your future.

The event leaders are all academics from Royal Holloway’s Business School:

• Professor Ling Xiao, Head of Education of Student Experience
• Dr Yiannis Anagnostopoulos, Head of Accounting and Financial Management
• Dr Lakshminarasimhan Vedanthachari, Associate Professor of Operations Management

Young people aged 15-18

Young people (Gen Z) who care deeply about climate change and the planet. You’ll discover how sustainable finance and FinTech are helping to tackle environmental and social challenges, and improve lives. This workshop will show you a side of finance you might not have seen before.

This talk is free, held in-person only. Register to attend using the 'book now' link on this page.

For specific questions about this event:

• Email: L.N.Chari@rhul.ac.uk
• Telephone: +44 1784 911858 

• Tuesday 3rd November 2026
• 11:30 - 14:00