We create opportunities for students and community collaborators to exchange knowledge and learn through practice.

qNomics is Queen Mary University of London’s community-engaged economics programme, based in the School of Economics and Finance. It connects students with businesses, entrepreneurs and community organisations to work collaboratively on real-world challenges.

Established in 2015, qNomics was created to give students opportunities to put their knowledge of economics and finance into practice beyond the classroom. What began as a small initiative supported by students and volunteer business practitioners has since developed into a wider programme of experiential learning, community engagement and knowledge exchange.

Through qNomics, students work directly with the people and organisations behind each project. They develop an understanding of their context, explore the challenges they face and apply their academic knowledge to produce practical research, analysis and recommendations. Throughout the process, students are supported through training, supervision and opportunities for reflection.

Our approach recognises that expertise exists on both sides of the partnership. The businesses, entrepreneurs and community organisations we work with bring their own knowledge, experience and understanding, making them active collaborators in the learning process rather than simply recipients of advice.

In 2020, qNomics became part of SKETCH – Student Knowledge Exchange Through Community Hubs, strengthening its focus on socially driven knowledge exchange, public engagement and collaboration between universities and communities.

Today, qNomics builds on more than a decade of experience through two main strands: Community Projects, which bring students together with community organisations to explore real challenges, and Client Advisory, through which students work with entrepreneurs, start-ups and small businesses on specific business needs.

• Dr Leon Vinokur – qNomics Academic Director. Leon is Reader (Associate Professor) in Economics and Finance Education in the School of Economics and Finance. Prior to becoming an academic Leon worked as a solicitor and a paralegal.

 

• Luena Ricardo – qNomics Project Coordinator. Luena coordinates the delivery and development of qNomics, working with students, community organisations, businesses and supervisors. She has a background in community engagement, international economics and law, and holds an MPhil in Global and Area Studies from the University of Oxford.

 

What is qNomics?

qNomics is Queen Mary University of London’s community-engaged economics programme, based in the School of Economics and Finance.

The programme brings students together with businesses, entrepreneurs and community organisations to work on real-world challenges. Students apply their knowledge of economics and finance beyond the classroom while developing practical and professional skills through collaboration, research, analysis and problem-solving.

At the heart of qNomics is knowledge exchange. Our collaborators bring their own expertise, lived experience and understanding of the challenges they face, while students contribute academic knowledge, fresh perspectives and analytical skills. Projects are therefore designed as opportunities to learn and work together.

Students can participate in qNomics through two main strands.

Community Projects

Community Projects connect students with community organisations and local partners to explore challenges that matter to them.

Working in teams, students may undertake activities such as research, survey design, data analysis, design thinking and the development of practical resources or recommendations. Projects are shaped around the needs of each community collaborator and give students the opportunity to understand how economics can be applied in different social and community contexts.

Client Advisory

Through Client Advisory, students work directly with entrepreneurs, start-ups and small businesses on specific business challenges.

Students work in teams to understand the organisation, investigate the issue presented by the client and develop evidence-informed recommendations. Depending on the project, this may involve areas such as business planning, market research, pricing, funding, marketing, data analysis or business strategy.

Students are supported by experienced professional supervisors throughout the process.

Training and development

Before and during their projects, students receive training designed to help them work effectively with clients and community collaborators. Sessions may cover areas such as interviewing, research, business planning, report writing, data analysis, communication and presentation skills.

Students are also encouraged to reflect on their experiences throughout the programme. This creates opportunities not only to apply academic knowledge, but also to consider how they work with others, respond to uncertainty and develop as professionals.

Skills you can develop

Taking part in qNomics can help students develop skills in research, data analysis, problem-solving, interviewing, consulting, report writing, teamwork, communication, presentation and working with external organisations.

Because students work on real projects, they also gain experience of navigating ambiguity, understanding different perspectives and translating academic knowledge into practical outputs.

Who can apply?

qNomics opportunities are available to students in the School of Economics and Finance, with eligibility depending on the project.

Community Projects are designed for undergraduate and postgraduate students, while Client Advisory is primarily aimed at third-year undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Specific eligibility, project opportunities and application information are published each academic year.