We are pleased to announce the final program for our workshop, “Geopolitical Alignment, Tensions, and the Global Economy: Measurement and Evidence,” which will take place at Université Paris Nanterre on Friday, December 4, 2026.
How can geopolitical alignment be measured, and how do geopolitical tensions reshape trade, shipping, and macroeconomic outcomes? These questions will bring together researchers at Université Paris Nanterre for a one-day workshop on Geopolitical Alignment, Tensions, and the Global Economy: Measurement and Evidence.
The workshop connects the construction of geopolitical indicators with their use in empirical economic research. Through two keynote lectures and eight contributed papers, the program examines how political relations, sanctions, conflict, and geopolitical risk affect the international economy.
The event will take place on Friday, 4 December 2026, in the Max Weber Auditorium. Registration and welcome coffee begin at 08:30, with opening remarks at 09:00 and closing discussion ending at 17:50. All times are Central European Time (CET).
Download the final workshop program (PDF)
Keynote lectures
Erik Voeten — Georgetown University
Geopolitical Alignment: Concept and Measurement
09:15–10:15 CET
Rodolphe Desbordes — SKEMA Business School
Empirical Geoeconomics: A Drunkard’s Search in a Straitjacket?
13:55–14:55 CET
Each keynote will comprise a 45-minute lecture followed by 15 minutes of discussion.
Four sessions connecting measurement and evidence
Session 1 — Geopolitical Tensions and Trade
10:15–11:25 · Chair: Julien Vauday, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord
- Trade under Tensions: Insights from Media-Reported Bilateral Events — presented by Daniel Mirza, Université de Tours.
- Sanctions and Trade Diversion: Evidence from Baltic Exporters — presented by Nicolas Gavoille, Latvijas Banka and SSE Riga.
Session 2 — Geopolitical Alignment and Macroeconomic Effects
11:45–12:55 · Chair: Hugo Oriola, Université Paris Nanterre
- The BRI Membership Premium: Chinese Foreign Aid and the Geopolitical Alignment of Non-Democratic Regimes — presented by Alessia A. Amighini, Università del Piemonte Orientale.
- Geopolitical Turning Points and Macroeconomic Volatility: a Bilateral Identification Strategy — presented by Jamel Saadaoui, Université Paris 8.
Session 3 — Conflict, Shipping, and Economic Activity
14:55–16:05 · Chair: Nicolas Himounet, Université Le Havre Normandie
- Trading Under Fire: Houthi Attacks and the Disruption of Global Shipping — presented by Nathalie El-Bazzal, Paris School of Economics.
- Russia’s Wartime Economy: Measuring Regional Inequalities from Outer Space — presented by Jan Fidrmuc, Université de Lille, LEM.
Session 4 — Measuring Geopolitical Risk
16:25–17:35 · Chair: Francisco Serranito, Université Paris Nanterre
- Structural Geopolitical Risk — presented by Alfonso Ugarte-Ruiz, BBVA Research.
- Geopolitical Risk and ECB Monetary Policy Transmission to Sovereign Spreads — presented by Urszula Szczerbowicz, SKEMA Business School.
Each paper has a 35-minute slot: 20 minutes for the presentation, 10 minutes for the discussant, and 5 minutes for questions. The complete program provides the full author lists, affiliations, and discussant assignments.
The day will conclude with a closing discussion from 17:35 to 17:50, providing an opportunity to connect the findings and methodological questions raised across the sessions.
Practical information and registration
Date: Friday, 4 December 2026.
Venue: Ground-floor auditorium, Max Weber building (W), Université Paris Nanterre, 200 avenue de la République, 92000 Nanterre, France.
Getting there: Take RER A or Transilien L to Nanterre Université. From the station, enter the campus and follow the signs to the Max Weber building (W).
Campus map · Transport information
Lunch: A buffet lunch is planned on site from 12:55 to 13:55. Please contact the organizer to confirm your lunch participation.
Registration and enquiries: Please contact Jamel Saadaoui at jamelsaadaoui@gmail.com.
Organizing and scientific committee
Julien Vauday, Francisco Serranito, Nicolas Himounet, Pauline Avril, Philipp Roderweis, Hugo Oriola, Sophie Saglio-Rossini, and Jamel Saadaoui.
We look forward to welcoming you to Nanterre for a day of research and discussion on the measurement and economic consequences of geopolitics.