Presentation

The Department of Economics was established in 1987 as a transformation of the Institute of Economics, directed by Bruno Miconi. Such a transition was quite unnoticed, since, thanks to its founding members (Mario Amendola, Marcello de Cecco, Giancarlo Gandolfo, Lucio Izzo, Franco Romani and Enrico Zaghini) the Institute of Economics already anticipated almost every feature of a modern and international department. It consolidated, too, that tradition of pluralistic and multidisciplinary debate maintained and fostered still nowadays.

 

The Department of Economics and Statistics helped overcoming the isolation of Italian Universities, by receiving amongst its fellows Richard Goodwin, the first foreign scholar teaching Economics in an Italian University. Such an international tradition was carried on over time with Frank Hahn and, now, with Sam Bowles; it is also testified by flourishing international relationships, as well as by the number of PhD students applying from all over the world to the PhD program in Economics (organized by the Department of Economics and Statistics ). The Department is also the host institution of a Fulbright Chair, yearly awarded to internationally renowned experts.

 

In May 2010 most of the members of the former Department of Quantitative Methods joined the department, strengthening the area of mathematics and enlarging the scientific interests of the department to include statistics and its applications to social sciences. Since May 2011 it assumed the new name of Department of Economics and Statistics.

 

The Department’s teaching staff includes economists, economic historians, mathematicians, statisticians and political scientists belonging to the University of Siena.

Facilities and location

The School is located in piazza San Francesco 7/8. 

 

How to reach Siena

Siena is located in the heart of Tuscany amid an undulating hilly landscape. Built on three steep hills and encircled by ancient walls, the medieval city of Siena welcomes visitors with a Latin motto on  the Porta Camollia gate entrance to the centre: "Cor Magis Tibi Saena Pandit" (Siena opens its heart to you wider than this gate). The centre is largely pedestrianised. The TRA.IN/Tiemme bus company provides minibus service (called the "pollicino") in central zones. See the TRA.IN/Tiemme website for rates, routes and timetables. There are several parking areas near the various town gates.

 

By train

Average journey time:

  • 1h20-1h55 from Florence S.M.N. central station ( a change may be required in Empoli)
  • 2h-2h30 from Pisa Centrale (most trains require a change in Empoli)
  • 3h20 from Roma Termini, Rome’s central station (change required in Chiusi, or high-speed train to Florence)

 

See the Italian Railways website for rates, routes and timetables. The railway station is about 2 km from the town centre and is reached by bus in a few minutes (bus numbers 77-17-10-9-8-7-4-3).

 

By air

The nearest airports are:

  • Aeroporto Amerigo Vespucci (Florence) From the airport, take the Sita/Ataf bus to the city centre; it leaves approximately every 30 minutes and takes about 20 minutes. From the central bus station there are regular buses to Siena (about 1h20 minutes), or the train station is across the road from the bus station. Taxis from the airport to Siena can be booked; the journey takes about 1h10min and costs around 100 €.
  • Aeroporto Galileo Galilei (Pisa): there is a train station accessible directly from the airport. To reach Siena by train, a change in Empoli is required.Taxis can be booked; the average journey time by car from Pisa airport to Siena is around 1h20, and costs about 130 €.
  • Aeroporto Leonardo da Vinci (Roma Fiumicino): trains link the airport to the central Roma Termini train station - for trains to Siena via Chiusi (local or intercity trains) or via Florence (high-speed trains) – or to Roma Tiburtina train station, outside which there is a stop for a direct bus to Siena.Taxis can be booked; the average journey time by car from the airport to Siena is around 2h45, and costs about 280 €.

 

By bus

There are bus connections with several northern and southern cities, including Florence, Rome and Bologna as well as many others. See the SENA web site for rates, routes and timetables.