The AEA lightning round sessions are concise presentations that spark interesting discussions and promote peer-to-peer networking. Each session is focused on a general subject area and includes 7-minute talks by 10 speakers. Following each presentation, the session chair moderates a brief audience Q&A.

Planned topics for 2027 include:

-Artificial Intelligence
-Corporate Finance
-Credit Markets and Insurance
-Disability and Mental Health
-Economic Development I
-Economic Development II
-Elementary and Secondary Schooling
-Energy and Water
-Externalities
-Financial Markets
-Housing
-Inflation and Monetary Policy
-Labor Force Participation
-Trade and Productivity Dynamics
-Trade Policy

For more information about other upcoming program features, check the 2027 ASSA conference site and follow us on AEA social media channels. 

Join us at this leading economics conference featuring 500 sessions from 66 associations. Registration opens on September 15, 2026!

2027 ASSA Annual Meeting
January 3–5, (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday)
Washington, DC

Still undecided about attending? Take a look back at last year’s conference in Philadelphia:
2026 Meeting Program   2026 Photos   2026 Select Webcasts   2026 Recent Developments Lectures