Skills Tent
Access to our award-winning careers team for key information on how to have a successful career and advice on how to upskill.
Festival of Numbers
Welcome to Lancaster University Management School's Festival of Numbers where we will be celebrating all things numbers on 25 May 2022.
Numbers. They’re everywhere – and at LUMS we’re fascinated by them.
From planning a government's budget, to managing your bank balance; calculating the global distribution cost of a product, to auditing big business; funding the NHS, to project managing HS2, wherever you look, numbers are essential.
Whatever your passion, numbers probably underpin it. That’s why we'd like to share with you some of the amazing ways they are crucial, not just for accountants and economists, but right across business and management.
Our Festival of Numbers offered a wide variety of sessions to choose from. Join us on 25 May to discover more about the Management School, our academic expertise, and our award-winning specialist careers support; experience a style of learning that challenges you to think differently; and be inspired by our exceptional alumni.
Read on to discover the schedule and register for your place.
Festival of Numbers Headliner: Craig Boundy
Craig Boundy is currently Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Experian, a role he was appointed to in April 2022.
Prior to his COO role, Craig served as Chief Executive Officer of Experian North America where he was responsible for the company’s North America business lines, including Credit Services and Decision Analytics, Consumer Services, Vertical Markets (Automotive and Health) and Marketing Services.
Experian has been known primarily as a credit bureau, but in recent years under Craig’s leadership, the company has expanded its business around using data and analytics to help people manage their financial lives and protect their identity; to help companies manage, protect and grow their businesses; and to make a difference in society. Most recently, the company introduced its United for Financial Health campaign, designed to empower and protect vulnerable consumers to improve their financial health.
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Backstage Pass
Your backstage pass to meet our successful Alumni! Find out industry tips and about their experience at Lancaster University Management School.
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Meet the Experts!
Figure crunching workshops with our leading academics.
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Insights Stage
Our Management School Ambassadors were on hand to share their experiences.
What's On
Explore the Festival of Numbers. Our exciting lineup will include LUMS staff, alumni, and special guests.
All times are in BST (GMT +1)
Schedule for Festival Accordion
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10:30 Welcome and Introduction
A welcome from your hosts and a guide to navigating the festival and your experience.
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11:00 Meet the Experts | Is the Housing Market a 'House of Cards'? (PG)
We will explore why studying (more) economics is both exciting and helpful for your career. We will showcase research by our Economics Department: The UK and the International Housing Observatories. We will explore why research about housing markets matters, and how it is used by the public and policymakers.
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11:30 Meet the Experts | Using AI to construct investment signals from unstructured data (PG)
Financial analysis and investment strategies have traditionally focused on quantitative information (e.g., sales and earnings) because these data are easy to incorporate into statistical models. However, unstructured data such as text accounts for over 90% of all information available to financial market participants. Not surprisingly, quants investors are increasingly turning their attention to this potentially rich source of additional data to support investment decision-making and to generate alpha. Computational linguistics and natural language processing methods from computer science provide the tools for transforming information in text into quantitative investment signals. This session uses the example of sentiment analysis with machine learning algorithms to illustrate how professional investors are leveraging these tools in practice. The session highlights the importance of understanding some basic aspects of data science in the context of financial markets. (The session assumes no prior knowledge of computer science, AI, or coding.)
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12:15 Insight Stage: Ask me anything? Postgraduate Students
'Ask Me Anything' is your opportunity to meet our Student Ambassadors, who will share their experience of being a Lancaster University Management School student! You'll find out insights about their life on campus, and they will be on hand to answer any questions you have.
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13:00 Skills Tent | Marketing and Metrics – the clues to fulfilling work. (UG and PG)
This session will look at how we can apply marketing and branding theory to inform your career trajectory; using insight from your social media footprints and putting your online efforts to use as a budding professional.
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13:30 Meet the Experts | How do investment banks use AI to generate investment signals from social media? (UG)
Financial analysis and investment strategies have traditionally focused on quantitative information (e.g., sales and earnings) because these data are easy to incorporate into statistical models. However, a large fraction of data relevant for investors now arrives via non-traditional, text-based channels such as Twitter, blog posts, and special forums like Seeking Alpha. Not surprisingly, professional investors are increasingly turning their attention to this potentially rich source of additional data to support investment decision-making and generate higher returns. Computational linguistics and natural language processing methods from computer science provide the tools for transforming social media content into quantitative investment signals. This session uses the example of measuring market sentiment with machine learning algorithms to illustrate how professional investors are leveraging these tools in practice. The session highlights the importance of understanding some basic aspects of data science in the context of financial markets. (The session assumes no prior knowledge of computer science, AI, or coding.)
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14:00 Meet the Experts | 'Cracking’ numbers and economics: what gambling, the use of female role models and policy advice about Covid have in common. (UG)
Your behaviour towards risk and uncertainty determines most of your decisions related to economic, financial, social, and health outcomes. We will explore how ‘cracking’ numbers and understanding behavioral economics is useful to examine why/how people gamble, whether role models matter and how to advise governments about Covid.
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14:30 Meet the Experts | Fashion-able numbers? The hype and the challenges of using big data in fashion marketing. (UG)
What makes 'big data' different? What are the promises and challenges of using big data to inform fashion marketing? The session invites you to explore the case of marketing and management with 'big data'. We will look behind the scenes of leading fashion brand's experiments with big data and discuss why some ideas remain a beautiful lesson in how not to use 'big data'.
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15:00 Insight Stage | Ask me anything? Undergraduate Students
'Ask Me Anything' is your opportunity to meet our Student Ambassadors, who will share their experience of being a Lancaster University Management School student! You'll find out insights about their life on campus, and they will be on hand to answer any questions you have.
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15:30: Skills Tent | Challenges for international students in the UK workplace (UG and PG)
Workplace customs and practices vary between countries. Join this workshop to learn some handy tips on succeeding in the UK workplace.
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16:00: Headline Act | Craig Boundy
Hear from our Headline Act Craig Boundy, COO of Experian and a Lancaster alumnus.
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16:45 Backstage Pass | Meet our Alumni (UG and PG)
Today you will have exclusive access to some of our alumni! These successful graduates will be sharing their experiences of Lancaster University Management School, as well as advice from their careers and some top industry tips!
Join our alumni to hear about their LUMS experiences and the start of their careers since graduation. In this informal online space, you will hear their personal insights and professional tips. You will also have the chance to ask them questions if you wish.
Social Media
Join in the Festival chat and watch on-demand numbers based webinars from the Management School.
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Join in the conversation
Use #FestivalOfNumbers to join in the chat on Twitter
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Economics Webinar Series
View our YouTube playlist of Economics Webinars
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Friday Forecasting Talks
A playlist of talks from the Centre for Market Analytics and Forecasting
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Schedule for Festival Accordion
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09:30 Welcome and Introduction
A welcome from your hosts and a guide to navigating the festival and your experience.
If you have any technical difficulties joining Zoom we suggest copying and pasting the link into a different browser or using the webinar ID and passcode below to access the event instead of the URL link. For additional technical support, please contact lums@lancaster.ac.uk.
Webinar ID: 857 9293 5841
Passcode: 406796
- 10:00 Meet the Experts | Predictive analytics and forecasting
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10:30 Meet the Experts | Can I have (more) Economics, please? Yes, indeed. It’s good for you!
We will explore why studying (more) economics is both exciting and helpful for your career. We will showcase research by our Economics Department: The UK and the International Housing Observatories. We will explore why research about housing markets matters, and how it is used by the public and policymakers.
Join us: Can I have (more) Economics, please?
If you have any technical difficulties joining Zoom we suggest copying and pasting the link into a different browser or using the Meeting ID below to access the event instead of the URL link. For additional technical support, please contact lums@lancaster.ac.uk.
Meeting ID: 940 8610 6037
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11:00 Meet the Experts | Using AI to construct investment signals from unstructured data
Financial analysis and investment strategies have traditionally focused on quantitative information (e.g., sales and earnings) because these data are easy to incorporate into statistical models. However, unstructured data such as text accounts for over 90% of all information available to financial market participants. Not surprisingly, quants investors are increasingly turning their attention to this potentially rich source of additional data to support investment decision-making and to generate alpha. Computational linguistics and natural language processing methods from computer science provide the tools for transforming information in text into quantitative investment signals. This session uses the example of sentiment analysis with machine learning algorithms to illustrate how professional investors are leveraging these tools in practice. The session highlights the importance of understanding some basic aspects of data science in the context of financial markets. (The session assumes no prior knowledge of computer science, AI, or coding.)
Join us: Using AI to construct investment signals from unstructured data
If you have any technical difficulties joining Zoom we suggest copying and pasting the link into a different browser or using the Meeting ID below to access the event instead of the URL link. For additional technical support, please contact lums@lancaster.ac.uk.
Meeting ID: 833 1073 4335
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11:30 Insight Stage | Ask me anything?
'Ask Me Anything' is your opportunity to meet our Student Ambassadors, who will share their experience of being a Lancaster University Management School student! You'll find out insights about their life on campus, and they will be on hand to answer any questions you have.
If you have any technical difficulties joining Zoom we suggest copying and pasting the link into a different browser or using the Meeting ID below to access the event instead of the URL link. For additional technical support, please contact lums@lancaster.ac.uk.
Meeting ID: 851 1115 2065
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12:00 Skills Tent | Social Media for Careers
Your social media presence can support or affect your chances of gaining that internship or placement. Learn how to ensure that your social media use supports your career development.
Join us: Social Media for Careers
If you have any technical difficulties joining Zoom we suggest copying and pasting the link into a different browser or using the Meeting ID below to access the event instead of the URL link. For additional technical support, please contact lums@lancaster.ac.uk.
Meeting ID: 820 2122 9837
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12:30 Headline act | Paul Taylor
Hear from our Headline Act: Paul Taylor, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fitch Group, and a Lancaster alumnus.
If you have any technical difficulties joining Zoom we suggest copying and pasting the link into a different browser or using the webinar ID and passcode below to access the event instead of the URL link. For additional technical support, please contact lums@lancaster.ac.uk.
Webinar ID: 889 0918 0994
Passcode: 309128
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13:15 Meet the Experts | How do investment banks use AI to generate investment signals from social media?
Financial analysis and investment strategies have traditionally focused on quantitative information (e.g., sales and earnings) because these data are easy to incorporate into statistical models. However, a large fraction of data relevant for investors now arrives via non-traditional, text-based channels such as Twitter, blog posts, and special forums like Seeking Alpha. Not surprisingly, professional investors are increasingly turning their attention to this potentially rich source of additional data to support investment decision-making and generate higher returns. Computational linguistics and natural language processing methods from computer science provide the tools for transforming social media content into quantitative investment signals. This session uses the example of measuring market sentiment with machine learning algorithms to illustrate how professional investors are leveraging these tools in practice. The session highlights the importance of understanding some basic aspects of data science in the context of financial markets. (The session assumes no prior knowledge of computer science, AI, or coding.)
Join us: How do investment banks use AI to generate investment signals from social media?
If you have any technical difficulties joining Zoom we suggest copying and pasting the link into a different browser or using the Meeting ID below to access the event instead of the URL link. For additional technical support, please contact lums@lancaster.ac.uk.
Meeting ID: 825 8772 8073
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13:45 Meet the Experts | 'Cracking’ numbers and economics: what gambling, the use of female role models and policy advice about Covid have in common.”
Your behaviour towards risk and uncertainty determines most of your decisions related to economic, financial, social, and health outcomes. We will explore how ‘cracking’ numbers and understanding behavioral economics is useful to examine why/how people gamble, whether role models matter and how to advise governments about Covid.
Join us: 'Cracking’ numbers and economics
If you have any technical difficulties joining Zoom we suggest copying and pasting the link into a different browser or using the webinar ID and passcode below to access the event instead of the URL link. For additional technical support, please contact lums@lancaster.ac.uk.
Meeting ID: 840 3733 3026
Passcode: 975779
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14:15 Meet the Experts | Fashion-able numbers? The hype and the challenges of using big data in fashion marketing
What makes 'big data' different? What are the promises and challenges of using big data to inform fashion marketing? The session invites you to explore the case of marketing and management with 'big data'. We will look behind the scenes of leading fashion brand's experiments with big data and discuss why some ideas remain a beautiful lesson in how not to use 'big data'.
Join us: Fashion-able numbers?
If you have any technical difficulties joining Zoom we suggest copying and pasting the link into a different browser or using the Meeting ID below to access the event instead of the URL link. For additional technical support, please contact lums@lancaster.ac.uk.
Meeting ID: 891 9029 7159
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15:15 Insight Stage | Ask me anything?
'Ask Me Anything' is your opportunity to meet our Student Ambassadors, who will share their experience of being a Lancaster University Management School student! You'll find out insights about their life on campus, and they will be on hand to answer any questions you have.
If you have any technical difficulties joining Zoom we suggest copying and pasting the link into a different browser or using the Meeting ID below to access the event instead of the URL link. For additional technical support, please contact lums@lancaster.ac.uk.
Meeting ID: 863 0152 3496
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15:45 Skills Tent | Brand Me – what’s your story?
How would you describe yourself to a potential employer? Which of your qualities would you like to showcase? Join this fun interactive session where you will use a technique developed and used by one of the world’s leading brands.
If you have any technical difficulties joining Zoom we suggest copying and pasting the link into a different browser or using the webinar ID and passcode below to access the event instead of the URL link. For additional technical support, please contact lums@lancaster.ac.uk.
Meeting ID: 814 8970 0421
Passcode: 101091
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16:15 Skills Tent | Assessment Centres
At the final stages of a recruitment process, the graduate employer often invites the shortlisted candidates to their HQ where they undertake a series of group and individual tasks. This is your chance to learn more about these events and sample some of the tasks involved.
If you have any technical difficulties joining Zoom we suggest copying and pasting the link into a different browser or using the Meeting ID below to access the event instead of the URL link. For additional technical support, please contact lums@lancaster.ac.uk.
Meeting ID: 819 3869 5862
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16:45 Skills Tent | Challenges for international students in the UK workplace
Workplace customs and practices vary between countries. Join this workshop to learn some handy tips on succeeding in the UK workplace.
Join us: Challenges for international students in the UK workplace
If you have any technical difficulties joining Zoom we suggest copying and pasting the link into a different browser or using the webinar ID and passcode below to access the event instead of the URL link. For additional technical support, please contact lums@lancaster.ac.uk.
Meeting ID: 875 8236 9020
Passcode: 395546
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17:15 Backstage Pass | Meet our Alumni
Join our alumni Jordan, Adam and Amy to hear about their LUMS experiences and the start of their careers since graduation. In this informal online space, you will hear their personal insights and professional tips. You will also have the chance to ask them questions if you wish.
About the alumni:
Jordan Fry studied BSc Economics and MSc Management at Lancaster. He now works as a Commercial Business Analyst for the Financial Times.
Adam Stewart studied BSc Business Economics (Industry) and is now a Product Marketing Manager at Microsoft.
Amy Ditchfield studied BSc Economics (Industry). She gained a place on the Civil Service Fast Stream and is currently posted to HM Revenue & Customs, working as a Tax Credits and Child Benefits Data Analyst.If you have any technical difficulties joining Zoom we suggest copying and pasting the link into a different browser or using the Meeting ID below to access the event instead of the URL link. For additional technical support, please contact lums@lancaster.ac.uk.
Meeting ID: 957 4164 2396
