Economists
Economics is appropriately classified as a social science discipline. This lumps it with all those other social academic undertakings such as political science, psychology, anthropology, criminology and sociology. It is the study of social life of humans in groups and organisations and how they act as a whole or individually. Economics as a distinct profession was only done recently and economists are divided which path to pursue in this regard. Some like it to stay as a purely academic concern while a second group wants it to have a more public discourse that determines economic policies that in turn help shape public policies. A doctorate degree in economics takes approximately six years to finish. Economists collect volumes of data and study reams of statistical results using advanced mathematics and computer programming. It attempts to spot certain trends early on such as economic downturns, bull runs, business confidence levels and consumer attitudes. The highest accolade an economist can hope for is being awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics established in 1968 in honour of Alfred Nobel. The award carries not only prestige but also a substantial cash amount, medal and diploma.
Alfred Nobel the man behind the Nobel Prize