Michael Becher

Michael Becher is a Full Professor of Political Science at IE University's School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs, a position he has held since 2024. Previously, he was an Assistant Professor at IE University (2020-2024), the Institute for Advanced Study in Toulouse (2017-2020), and the University of Konstanz (2013-2016). He serves as an external Senior Fellow at the Konstanz Cluster of Excellence on "The Politics of Inequality" and contributes to Sustainable Development Goals 8 (Decent Work), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and 16 (Strong Institutions).

Education:

• Ph.D. in Politics, Princeton University, 2013
• M.A. in Politics, Princeton University, 2011
• Magister in Political Science and Economics, University of Mannheim, 2008

Research Focus: His work examines democratic institutions through comparative politics and political economy lenses, analyzing accountability, representation, labor unions, and inequality. He investigates how democracies respond to disruptive forces like globalization, automation, and public health crises, employing formal theory and empirical methods. A major current project studies COVID-19's impact on public compliance and political behavior.

Awards:

• External Senior Fellow at Konstanz Cluster of Excellence on "The Politics of Inequality"

Collaborative Work: Leads a multinational research team analyzing political and behavioral responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, with findings featured in international media like Le Monde and The Washington Post.