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One of the world's most influential economists, Professor Avinash Dixit, of Princeton University, will discuss ‘The Art of Strategy: Game Theory in Movies, Sports, and Literature' at The University of Western Australia's 2012 Shann Memorial Lecture on August 28.

The Shann Memorial Lecture is an annual event hosted by the UWA Business School and the Economic Society of Australia to honour Professor Edward Shann (1884-1935), a UWA Foundation Professor and first occupant of the University's Chair of Economics.

Professor Dixit, who is Princeton University's John J. F. Sherrerd '52 University Professor of Economics Emeritus in the US, will discuss how nearly every business and personal interaction - from pop culture, TV, movies, sports, politics, and history - has a game theory component.

Game theory combines common sense with counterintuitive theory to illustrate a new way of seeing the world, Professor Dixit says.  It is the art of anticipating your opponent's next moves, knowing full well that your rival is trying to do the same thing to you.

Professor Dixit has made a significant contribution in a range of areas, including microeconomic theory, game theory, international trade, industrial organisation, growth and development theories, public economics, political economy and the new institutional economics.

He has held visiting positions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the International Monetary Fund, the London School of Economics, Stockholm's Institute for International Economic Studies and the Russell Sage Foundation.

Public registrations for Professor Dixit's lecture are now closed but limited media places remain by contacting Verity Chia or call 6488 1346.

Date :                  Tuesday 28 August 2012

Time :                  6.30pm - 7.30pm (refreshments from 5.45pm)

Venue :                Wesfarmers Lecture Theatre, UWA Business School.

Media references

Rhonda Flottmann (UWA Business School)  (+61 8)  6488 2925
Verity Chia (UWA Business School)  (+61 8)  6488 1346
Michael Sinclair-Jones (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 3229  /  (+61 4) 00 700 783