iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Stephen Billington

The Economics Network @economics-net.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

In a new case study, @steve-bill-econ.bsky.social assesses students on their critiques of, and improvements to, AI-generated essays. Students submit Word files with their work visible in Track Changes. Improving grades and reducing unethical AI use! #TeachEcon economicsnetwork.ac.uk/showcase/bil...

economicsnetwork.ac.uk

Critiquing GenAI in First-Year Macroeconomics

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Stephen Billington @steve-bill-econ.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Myself and Joe Lane have a new article published online. We use a new dataset of unsuccessful English patent applications filed during the Industrial Revolution to ask why they were unsucessful - we think the cause was private opposition! Read it here: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10....

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Stephen Billington @steve-bill-econ.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

My new publication (co-authored with Joe Lane) has been published online! We look at a lesser known instance where the British State intervened into the patent system to procure new innovations! Read it here: doi.org/10.1093/ereh...

doi.org

Procuring Promising Provisions: the British Patent System and the Navy Proviso, 1794–1831

Abstract. In 1794, the British State intervened in the patent system by introducing the Navy proviso, a legal proviso targeted at select patents compelling

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Reposted by Stephen Billington

Chris Colvin @cliochris.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

New working paper, co-authored with Homer Wagenaar. We look at the strange but smart patent system of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands (1815–1830) — a mix of examination + royal discretion of patent terms. Turns out: it worked better than you'd think. www.quceh.org.uk/uploads/1/0/...

Patently Peculiar: Patents and Innovation in the United Kingdom of the Netherlands
By Homer Wagenaar and Christopher L. Colvin

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Reposted by Stephen Billington

Chris Colvin @cliochris.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

New working paper alert: "Financing Innovation: The Role of Patent Examination". @steve-bill-econ.bsky.social, Christopher Coyle and I have been working on this for quite a while now. We are excited to have a full draft for your enjoyment! www.quceh.org.uk/uploads/1/0/...

Financing Innovation: The Role of Patent Examination.

Stephen D. Billington, Christopher L. Colvin and Christopher Coyle.

How does patent examination influence access to finance for innovative firms? We exploit a reform to the UK’s patent system that introduced substantive examination to the patent application process, improving the information available to potential investors on the value of firms’ patents. Using a newly compiled firm-level dataset of exchange-listed corporations, we find that firms holding examined patents were able to borrow more, reflecting improved access to capital markets, and leading to firm growth. Our results highlight the role of patent examination in reducing information asymmetries, enhancing the signalling value of patents, and mitigating financial barriers to innovation.

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Reposted by Stephen Billington

Guillermo Andrés @gandres.bsky.social · 11/11/2024

I just created a starter pack focused on Economics of Innovation. Please join or share it!: go.bsky.app/9rkv2nx #Economics #Innovation

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Reposted by Stephen Billington

Pseudoerasmus @pseudoerasmus.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

This is the THIRD economic history starter pack, so economic history has more dedicated starter packs than any other!

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