Stories

Rarely has an academic discipline changed as much as that of economics. While ten years ago economists were mainly concerned with issues such as unemployment, taxes, or trade, today they address global challenges such as inequality, development economics, or even the effects of climate change on the global economy. Despite the breadth of the discipline, there is one element that unites all researchers at the Department: their passion for economic research. In the following film, our researchers take you on a journey into the world of modern economic research. With a lot of passion for their topics, they will show you the fascinating and interdisciplinary field of economics.

Three exciting areas, nine passionate researchers

Trade, globalization, and labor

International trade studies the economic transactions between countries and the effects of trade agreements and standards on economic growth and development.

Labor Economics analyzes the dynamics of labor markets and interrelations between labor, goods, and monetary markets and how these influence employment levels and GDP. Emily Blanchard, David Dorn, and Ralph Ossa search for answers that revolve around trade and globalization. The challenge going forward is how to, on the one hand, leverage all the benefits that trade can provide, while at the same time avoiding some of the economic and social problems associated with globalization. This also includes how to prevent trade wars, promote trade talks, and how to reform international trade organizations.

The Department of Economics at the University of Zurich plays a leading role in the academic world. Our motto is “Pioneering Economics”. With our forward-thinking attitude and multidisciplinary approach, we have entered uncharted territory. Our ambition is to find answers to the most pressing questions of our time and to offer direction to students, to leaders, and to policy-makers alike. For more information please visit: https://www.econ.uzh.ch/en.html

With (in order of appearance): David Dorn, UBS Foundation Professor of Globalization and Labor Markets, Ralph Ossa, Kühne Foundation Professorship of International Trade, Emily Blanchard, former Kühne Foundation Visiting Professor.

Behavioral Economics

Economics has adopted concepts from psychology, leading to the birth of Behavioral Economics, and the use of insights from neuroscience has led to the development of neuroeconomics.

Behavioral Economics also considers psychological, cultural, and social determinants of individuals’ economic decisions and the functioning of institutions. It therefore offers deeper and more nuanced explanations of economic outcomes. Neuroeconomics studies the biological or neurological foundations of economic decision-making by applying methods of neuroscience and cognitive science. Measuring the activity within specific regions of the brain during decision-making processes allows a better understanding of the motivations underlying human behavior. In their research, Carlos Alós-Ferrer, Anne Ardila Brenøe, and Roberto Weber cover a wide range of behavioral economics and neuroeconomics, exploring questions such as: Whom do we trust and how much does it cost? How can we measure trust? What are the cognitive foundations of cooperation? Why do not all mothers breastfeed?

The Department of Economics at the University of Zurich plays a leading role in the academic world. Our motto is “Pioneering Economics”. With our forward-thinking attitude and multidisciplinary approach, we have entered uncharted territory. Our ambition is to find answers to the most pressing questions of our time and to offer direction to students, to leaders, and to policy-makers alike. For more information please visit: https://www.econ.uzh.ch/en.html

With (in order of appearance): Carlos Alós-Ferrer, NOMIS Professorship for Decision and Neuroeconomic Theory, Anna Ardila Brenøe, Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation Assistant Professorship of Child and Youth Development with a focus on breastfeeding, Roberto Weber, Professorship of the Economics of Corporate Culture, Business Ethics and Social Responsibility, endowed by Credit Suisse.

Development Economics

Development economists study the approaches to promote social and economic development in low-income countries by improving health, education, and structural conditions.

Lorenzo Casaburi’s and Guilherme Lichand’s research concentrates on two important disciplines within development economics: education and health. The Economics of Education studies issues relating to education, including the demand for it, its financing and provision, and the comparative efficiency of various educational programs. Health Economics analyzes healthcare systems and behaviors affecting individual health by examining the interplay between the information available to individuals, physician’s actions, and government interventions. Dina Pomeranz studies how public policies work and offers specific ways to improve them. She focuses on challenges of governments in developing countries such as tax-collecting systems.

The Department of Economics at the University of Zurich plays a leading role in the academic world. Our motto is “Pioneering Economics”. With our forward-thinking attitude and multidisciplinary approach, we have entered uncharted territory. Our ambition is to find answers to the most pressing questions of our time and to offer direction to students, to leaders, and to policy-makers alike. For more information please visit: https://www.econ.uzh.ch/en.html

With (in order of appearance): Lorenzo Casaburi, Swiss Re Foundation Associate Professorship of Development Economics, Dina Pomeranz, UBS Foundation Assistant Professor of Applied Economics, Guilherme Lichand, Assistant Professorship for Child Well-Being and Development, supported by UNICEF Switzerland