Introduction

The Cambridge Growth Project was a large econometric research project set up in the University of Cambridge Department of Applied Economics in 1960 and ending in 1987. Its major academic contribution was the Cambridge Multisectoral Dynamic Model of the British economy. Led initially by Nobel Prize winner (1984) Professor Sir Richard Stone and later by Dr Terry Barker, the project developed a model of the British economy. It was used to forecast economic growth of the British economy in the 1970s, and was later used for regional and environmental modelling and forecasting. Funding for the project was first provided by the Ford Foundation, and later by the Social Sciences Research Council, replaced in 1983 by the Economic and Social Research Council. The model was made commercially available through a limited company, Cambridge Econometrics. This was set up by members of the project and celebrated 25 years in business in September, 2003.

Location

The archive of the Cambridge Growth Project, comprising 56 archive boxes, is housed in the basement of the Marshall Library. The collection is for general research use and documents marked CONFIDENTIAL are not accessible except by written request to Dr. Barker.

Access

Access to the archives is by prior appointment only. Visiting scholars are advised to consult the Marshall Librarian well in advance of their proposed visit and should note that the Library is closed for a week at Christmas and Easter, and also for two weeks during August. Visitors should note that access to the archives may not be possible at certain times during term when the library is particularly busy, and also at certain times during vacation when it operates with a skeleton staff. Closure times and term dates for 2009/10 can be found here.

Scholars wishing to consult the Cambridge Growth Project archives are strongly advised to consult its catalogue, identify the items they wish to consult and forward this information to the librarian when they arrange their visit. The archive catalogue is available to download as two .pdf files:

Cambridge Growth Project Catalogue : Part 1

Cambridge Growth Project Catalogue : Part 2