The launch section of the 20th International Conference on Labour, Education, and Social Protection (ICLES 2024) dives deep into the dynamics of the informal economy, unveiling cutting-edge research that employs econometric analyses and machine learning techniques to illuminate the often-hidden world of unofficial economic activities. This session also marks the launch of informality.ro, a comprehensive platform developed by the National Scientific Research Institute for Labour and Social Protection, which consolidates years of research on the informal economy and serves as a hub for sharing valuable insights and findings.

This segment of the conference is designed to elevate critical discussions on the shadow economy, fostering an environment where researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and students can engage in meaningful dialogue. The aim is to stimulate a rich exchange of ideas, bridge gaps between different levels of expertise, and drive forward innovative thinking in this essential area.

Topics of Interest for the Call for Papers Include (but are not limited to):

• Understanding the Informal Economy
• Machine Learning Applications in Informal Economy Analysis
• Measures of Informality
• Data Science and Informality
• Statistical Analysis of Informal Economic Behaviors
• Policy Analysis and the Informal Economy
• Sustainability and the Informal Economy
• Digital Transformation and Informality
• Innovative Methods to Address Economic Informality

Chair Adriana AnaMaria DAVIDESCU

Adriana AnaMaria Davidescu is a senior researcher at the National Scientific Research Institute for Labour and Social Protection, focusing on labour market policies and education. She is also Full Professor at the Department of Statistics and Econometrics at the Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Romania, and Head of the Data Science Research Lab, specialising in business and economics applications. With over 17 years of experience in socio-economic research, she has extensively explored issues of informality at national and international levels, leading numerous national research projects and acting as a senior expert for the European Commission on the European Platform tackling Undeclared Work. Prof. Davidescu has significant expertise in evaluating public projects and programs, having coordinated over 14 national projects and served as a senior expert in more than 50 national and international initiatives.