Preface

In times of uncertainty and rapid global change, the role of public economics in shaping policies that drive equitable growth and societal resilience becomes even more paramount. This volume, *Resilience and Realities – Exploring Pandemic Effects, Governance Challenges, and Economic Insights* illuminates the intricate interplay between economic policies, public welfare, and the challenges posed by the modern world, particularly in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It is organized into two sections, each delving into specific facets of public economics and policy-making.

Section 1, "Illusions of Public Policies Amidst a Pandemic," explores the intriguing realm of public policies during times of crisis, with a specific focus on the COVID-19 pandemic. The chapters in this section delve into diverse dimensions of the pandemic's influence, ranging from its impact on the broader socioeconomic landscape to its reverberations within specific demographic segments, such as academic women. The authors illuminate the potential missed opportunities that may have arisen during crisis management and discuss the intricate challenges of evaluating governmental economic responses. Moreover, this section scrutinizes the resilience exhibited by entrepreneurship amid tumultuous times and the rapid digital transformation that has permeated our world.

Section 2, "Public Policies towards Investment, Technology, and Efficiency," concentrates on public policies pertaining to investment, technology, and efficiency. It examines the critical role of investment in human capital for sustainable economic growth and delves into the financial management challenges within the public sector.

As you embark on this journey through *Resilience and Realities – Exploring Pandemic Effects, Governance Challenges, and Economic Insights*, we invite you to engage with the diverse insights and perspectives offered by esteemed authors in the field. We hope that this book will serve as a source of knowledge, reflection, and inspiration for policymakers, economists, academics, and anyone interested in understanding the intricate complexities of public economics in an evolving world.

**Habtamu Alem**

Research Scientist in the Department of Economics and Society, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), Ås, Norway

Section 1
