Sebastian Blesse

Dr. Sebastian Blesse is an Assistant Professor (Juniorprofessor W1, tt W3) at Leipzig University, affiliated with the KOMKIS research center. He holds positions at the ifo Institute, CESifo, and EconPol research networks, and is a Junior Research Affiliate at ZEW Mannheim's Department of Public Finance and Corporate Taxation. His research focuses on public policy effectiveness, fiscal governance, behavioral economics, and climate policy. He leads DFG-funded projects on policy-making tensions between evidence and public opinion and Thyssen-funded research on energy transition subsidies.

Education and career highlights include a PhD and prior roles as a Junior ZEW Research Associate. He has published extensively on topics like fiscal rules, automation impact, and tax policy. Awards include the 2018 Preis für Föderalismus- und Regionalforschung. Blesse is affiliated with leading economic associations (AEA, EEA, VfS) and has organized academic conferences. His work combines quasi-experimental, survey, and experimental methods to evaluate policy outcomes.

Research affiliations include ZEW, ifo, and international networks. Current projects address public investment golden rules, austerity impacts, and EU fiscal reform preferences. He advises on policy design and has conducted research stays in multiple countries, emphasizing cross-disciplinary collaboration.