Prof. Dr. Alfons J. Weichenrieder is a Professor of Economics and Public Finance at Goethe University Frankfurt . His research focuses on international corporate taxation, fiscal federalism, public debt, redistribution policies, and tax morality. He serves on multiple advisory boards including the German Ministry of Finance and Leibniz ScienceCampus MaTax . As Managing Editor of FinanzArchiv , he contributes to public finance analysis. Education : Habilitation (2001) and Ph.D. (1995) from University of Munich Research Themes : Tax havens, EU fiscal policy, corporate tax incentives, environmental FDI interactions His recent work explores pro-rich inflation dynamics , green dividend mechanisms , and taxation-induced capital distortions . Collaborative projects span institutions like Oxford University , Norwegian School of Economics , and Deutsche Bundesbank . Scientific Recognition Top-100 German researcher in economics & finance (RESEARCH.COM, 2025) International Research Fellow, Oxford CBT CESifo Research Fellow Member, Norwegian Center for Taxation
James Wood serves as an Associate Teaching Professor in Political Economy within the Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) at the University of Cambridge, where he is also affiliated with the Faculty of Human, Social, and Political Science. Additionally, he holds a Staff Fellowship in Politics at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, where he serves as the HSPS Director of Studies and Undergraduate Tutor, having previously served as Acting Senior Tutor of the College. University of Sussex: B.A. in Economics (2010-2013) King's College London: M.A. (2014) and Ph.D. in International Political Economy (2017) Wood's research focuses on political economy with particular emphasis on innovation policy, housing systems, and crisis construction across the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union. His work examines how housing functions as an asset-based welfare system, the political dimensions of innovation policymaking, and the construction of economic crises in contemporary democracies. He investigates the role of megaprojects in regional development and the political economy of welfare state transformation, particularly examining housing as what he terms the 'fifth pillar' of the welfare state. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on polycentric governance approaches to innovation, the political dynamics of housing policy, and the comparative analysis of economic policy responses to crises. Wood's research connects theoretical political economy with practical policy analysis, often examining how economic policies are constructed and legitimized in different political contexts. Co-convenor of the Political Studies Association's British and Comparative Political Economy Specialist Group Associate Editor of the Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society Before entering academia, Wood spent nearly a decade working at one of the largest mortgage joint ventures in the United States, providing him with practical industry experience that informs his academic research on housing finance and asset-based welfare systems. His research bridges academic theory with real-world policy challenges, particularly in the areas of housing affordability, innovation ecosystems, and the political management of economic crises.
João Tovar Jalles serves as a Senior Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Lisbon's Lisbon School of Economics and Management (ISEG), with over 15 years of expertise spanning macroeconomics, public finance, and applied econometrics. His career includes significant roles at the International Monetary Fund (2014-2019), OECD (2012-2014), European Central Bank (2011-2012), and Portuguese Public Finance Council (2019-2020), alongside teaching appointments at Sciences Po, University of Aberdeen, and Cambridge University. He ranks among the top 1% of global economic authors (IDEAS database) and serves as Associate Editor of the Public Finance Review. His academic credentials include: Aggregation in Economy (2023) from Universidade de Lisboa, ISEG PhD in Economics (2011) from University of Cambridge MSc in Economics (2008) from University of Warwick BSc in Economics (2006) from Universidade Nova de Lisboa Dr. Jalles' research centers on fiscal policy dynamics, climate-economy interactions, and institutional efficiency, with particular focus on emerging markets. His work examines how decentralization affects environmental outcomes, how fiscal space influences pandemic responses, and the relationship between tax structures and income inequality. He employs advanced econometric techniques to analyze cross-country datasets, emphasizing policy-relevant insights for sustainable development. Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal a pronounced shift toward integrating climate risk into macroeconomic modeling, with 60% of his work now addressing environmental-fiscal linkages. His studies consistently demonstrate how natural disasters reshape intergovernmental fiscal relations and how climate shocks propagate through sovereign bond markets, establishing him as a leading voice in climate macroeconomics. Professional recognition includes: Top 1% ranking among 67,861 economic authors globally (IDEAS/RePEc database) Dr. Jalles actively supervises Master's students at ISEG, guiding research on renewable energy transitions, unconventional monetary policy spillovers, and pandemic-climate interactions. His consultancy work with international organizations focuses on fiscal sustainability frameworks and tax reform implementation in developing economies, directly influencing policy design in Portugal, Asia, and Africa. He contributes to ISEG's research ecosystem through the Policy Lab and Data Lab, where his team develops real-time fiscal monitoring tools and climate stress-testing models for government institutions, bridging academic research with practical policy applications.
Fabien Postel-Vinay is a Professor of Economics at the Department of Economics, University College London (UCL), and concurrently serves as Research Director at the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS). His research focuses on labor market dynamics, unemployment, wage determination, and the interplay between economic policies and labor markets. He holds dual affiliations with UCL and IFS, contributing to both academic research and policy analysis. Postel-Vinay’s work emphasizes understanding labor mobility, wage posting mechanisms, and the impact of business cycles on employment. His recent studies address post-pandemic job opportunities, mental health effects on labor trajectories, and structural labor market analysis. He has extensively published on topics such as public versus private sector wage gaps, temporary employment dynamics, and employer-employee matching processes. His research often combines theoretical models with empirical data, focusing on macroeconomic implications of labor market policies. Key themes include the role of age in policy design during crises, the cyclical job ladder dynamics, and the measurement of employer-to-employer reallocation. Despite his prolific output, no scientific awards or grants are explicitly mentioned in the provided text. Postel-Vinay collaborates with institutions like IFS to inform policy through studies on labor market responses to economic shocks, such as the pandemic’s impact on employment structures. His work bridges theoretical microeconomics with applied policy analysis, addressing both academic and societal challenges in labor economics.
James Mitchell is a Professor of Public Policy at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Social and Political Science . He holds a MA (Political Studies) from the University of Aberdeen and a D.Phil. (Oxford). His research focuses on British politics, devolution, public policy, territorial politics, and Scottish nationalism. He has supervised over 30 years of PhDs and Masters in public policy, devolution, and constitutional politics. Key research themes include fiscal accountability in Scotland, party membership surges post-referendum, and multi-level governance. Research Projects: ESRC-funded study on SNP and Scottish Greens’ post-referendum membership growth Investigation of fiscal devolution’s accountability gaps Analysis of Scotland’s constitutional questions and local governance Research Interests: Mitchell explores territorial politics, public service reform, and political behavior in sub-state governments. He has contributed to debates on Scottish independence, EU referendum impacts, and intergovernmental relations. Recent work includes studies on the SNP leadership contest (2023) and Holyrood’s fiscal structures. Grants & Awards: He has secured grants from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for projects on party membership and constitutional dynamics. No specific scientific awards are listed, but his work is widely cited in political science and public policy. Labs & Teams: He is part of the Territorial Politics Research Group and has collaborated on regional economic forecasting and governance studies. His work often bridges academia and policy, influencing debates on devolution and public finance.
Prof. G. Scott Watson is a Professor in the Department of Physics at Syracuse University, affiliated with the College of Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on the interplay between fundamental particle physics and cosmology, particularly early universe cosmology, inflationary models, dark matter/energy, and string theory applications. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics from Brown University (2005) and B.S. degrees in Mathematics and Physics from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (2000). Key research interests include string phenomenology as a quantum gravity framework, probing inflationary scenarios through cosmic microwave background (CMB) studies, and exploring dark matter origins. He leads major projects like CMB-S4 and contributes to the CMBPol mission concept. Watson has received the American Physical Society Outstanding Referee Award (2021) and serves on high-profile collaborations such as the Inflation Probe Study Analysis Group (IPSAG). Teaching responsibilities include advanced courses like Quantum Field Theory, Relativity and Cosmology, and Quantum Mechanics II. He actively mentors students through independent studies and advises on graduate admissions. Watson has secured significant grants, including a Department of Energy-funded project on theoretical particle physics and cosmology (2013–2025) and NSF support for cosmic acceleration research (2018–2023).
Prof. Dimitar Nikoloski is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Economics-Prilep, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje. He specializes in econometrics, labor economics, and statistical inference. His research focuses on transition economies, labor market dynamics, and policy evaluation. Nikoloski holds a PhD from Staffordshire University (UK) and has held academic positions since 2000. He has been actively involved in international projects such as TEMPUS initiatives and has authored/co-authored multiple books and over 50 peer-reviewed articles. Education: Bachelor's in Economic-Statistical-Cybernetics (1996), Faculty of Economics-Prilep Master's in Economics (2000), University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland) PhD in Economics (2007), Staffordshire University (UK) Research Interests: Labor market transitions in post-communist economies Unemployment dynamics and policy interventions Green skills gap analysis Impact of FDI and wage subsidies Informal economy dynamics Key Achievements: Second Prize in Macroeconomics Research Competition (2007) Editorial roles in journals like Equilibrium Lead researcher on EU-funded projects (e.g., CEDEFOP, WIIW) His work bridges academic rigor with policy relevance, addressing critical issues such as skills mismatches, migration impacts, and sustainable employment strategies in Southeastern Europe.
Arjan P.H.W. Habraken is an Assistant Professor at the Department of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), specializing in lightweight and resource-efficient structural design. His work bridges architectural vision with material-efficient engineering, focusing on structural form-finding, lifespan optimization, biological materials, and adaptive systems. Academic Appointments: Assistant Professor (TU/e, 2015–present) Professional Roles: Founder of SIDstudio (2012) and MDLX (2017), structural designer collaborating with architects globally Research Interests center on sustainable structural solutions, including: Long-lifespan structures Biological material integration Topology, form, and adaptive optimization His publications emphasize innovative structural control (e.g., semi-active vibration damping) and biocomposite applications . Key projects include the Smart Circular Bridge (SCB) and Living Lab structural health monitoring. Awards include the 2021 BOOST Innovation Grant and 2020 Structural Engineer of the Year. Supervised work spans 106 projects, with teaching contributions to courses like 'Design Project High Rise Building' and 'Resource Efficient Structural Engineering.'
Professor Jagjit S. Chadha is a distinguished academic and policy adviser serving as Professor of Economics at the University of Cambridge's Faculty of Economics. He concurrently serves as Director of the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) until December 2024, and holds advisory roles with the Bennett Institute of Public Policy and the Productivity Institute. His career spans academic appointments at the University of Kent and St Andrews, and professional roles including Chief Quantitative Economist at BNP Paribas and Specialist Adviser to the UK Treasury Committee. His research focuses on macroeconomics, monetary policy, fiscal frameworks, and historical business cycles. Notable contributions include analyses of quantitative easing impacts, debt management strategies, and long-term UK economic data. Chadha has authored A Century of High Frequency UK Macroeconomic Statistics and frequently publishes in journals like Journal of Economic Surveys and Economic History Review . He has received an OBE (2021) and Royal Economic Society Founding Fellowship (2025). His work bridges academia and policy, advising central banks, HM Treasury, and international institutions. Recent media engagements include commentary on UK fiscal rules, China-UK economic relations, and post-pandemic productivity challenges.
Rafael M. Di Tella is the William Ziegler Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School (HBS), where he has been faculty since 1997. He teaches courses on business history, the business environment, and institutions/macroeconomics. His research focuses on political economy, crime and corruption, happiness studies, and welfare state design. He holds a D.Phil in Economics from Oxford University (1996) and a first degree in Economics from the Universidad de Buenos Aires (1990). Affiliations: Harvard Business School, Business, Government and the International Economy department Teaching: Business History, Macroeconomic Policy, Institutions Research interests span political economy mechanisms shaping institutional development, happiness economics (linking subjective well-being to policy design), and the economic roots of crime and corruption. Notable contributions include analysis of Latin American political economies, fiscal responses to crises, and the role of beliefs in economic behavior. Key projects: Impact of electronic monitoring on recidivism, media bias effects on corruption, happiness adaptation to income Recent work includes studies on strategic political platforms during U.S./French elections (2023), pandemic drug diffusion (2023), and social media's role in polarization (2021). He has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles and authored/co-authored books like The Economics of Crime (2010). His research frequently bridges theory with real-world policy challenges in developing economies. Receives frequent media attention for insights on populism, fiscal policy, and macroeconomic governance. Serves on editorial boards of top journals including the American Economic Review and Journal of Comparative Economics.
Prakash Loungani is the Program Director and Senior Lecturer for the MS in Applied Economics program at Johns Hopkins University’s Advanced Academic Programs. He previously served as Assistant Director at the International Monetary Fund and held roles at the Federal Reserve System and the University of Florida. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Rochester and is an active researcher and commentator in macroeconomics and inequality. Research Interests: Loungani’s work spans a wide range of topics including macroeconomic policy, labor markets, inequality, energy economics, and climate change. His research often explores the distributional effects of economic shocks and policies, with a focus on emerging markets and developing economies. He has contributed significantly to understanding how fiscal and monetary policies impact inequality and how pandemics and energy crises affect economic outcomes. Scientific Contributions: He is the co-author of the book Confronting Inequality: How Societies Can Choose Inclusive Growth and has published extensively in top-tier journals such as Energy Economics , Journal of Economic Inequality , and The Economic Journal . His work has been featured in major media outlets like The New York Times , The Economist , and Financial Times . Teaching and Outreach: In addition to his role at Johns Hopkins, Loungani has taught at SAIS and Carey Business School. He also blogs as the "Unassuming Economist," engaging with public discourse on economic issues.
Federico Bonetto is a Professor at the School of Mathematics , Georgia Institute of Technology. His research spans equilibrium and non-equilibrium statistical mechanics , chaotic systems , and mathematical physics . Research Themes : Fermi surfaces in interacting fermion systems Chaos and large deviations in billiards Fourier's law in anharmonic oscillators Game theory applications to economic models Teaching : Regular instructor of courses like Partial Differential Equations , Linear Algebra , and Probability & Statistics since 2002. Publications : Over 40 works since 1995, focusing on Kac models, thermostatted systems, and statistical mechanics of coupled maps. Recent articles (2019-2025) explore non-equilibrium entropy decay , fermionic criticality , and monetary policy experiments .
Hal J. Singer is a Managing Director at Econ One and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Utah. His career spans economics consulting and academic research, with a focus on telecommunications, antitrust, regulatory policy, and market competition. Key Affiliations: Econ One, University of Utah, Criterion Economics, LLC, Technology Policy Institute. Research Interests: Broadband regulation, wireless markets, antitrust analysis, merger impacts, and consumer welfare in high-tech industries. Recent Work Trends: Analyzes competition in telecom markets, regulatory frameworks for net neutrality, and antitrust implications in digital platforms. His publications often address policy decisions in the U.S. and international contexts. Notable Contributions: Co-author of influential studies on the Sprint/T-Mobile merger, Google/DoubleClick antitrust case, and economic impacts of broadband regulation.
Lionel WILNER is a senior researcher at CREST (Centre de Recherche en Économie et Statistique) and teaches economics at ENSAE Paris. He earned his PhD from Université Paris 1 (Panthéon-Sorbonne) and an accreditation to supervise research (HDR) from École Normale Supérieure (ENS). Affiliated with CESifo, he contributes to empirical industrial organization, social insurance economics, and policy evaluation methods. Education: PhD (Université Paris 1), HDR (ENS) His research spans empirical industrial organization (focusing on healthcare markets and demand estimation), social insurance economics (health, labor, pensions), and policy evaluation using microsimulation, reduced-form, and structural econometric models. Recent work includes analyzing child penalties, wealth accumulation, and fuel price inflation compensation mechanisms. He has published in top journals like ILR Review , Journal of Environmental Economics and Management , and Oxford Economic Papers . His studies often integrate empirical rigor with policy implications, influencing debates on gender disparities, public finance, and healthcare access. Scientific Awards: Certificate of Excellence in Reviewing, International Journal of Industrial Organization (2015) WILNER actively engages in policy analysis, serving as a substitute member of France’s Conseil d'Orientation des Retraites (2018–2024). He is a referee for journals including American Economic Journal: Microeconomics and Journal of Health Economics , and participates in international workshops and seminars on topics like aging, taxation, and healthcare reform.
Dr. Prashant Saxena is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Infrastructure & Environment at the University of Glasgow (since 2018). He previously held positions as an Assistant Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (2015-2018) and postdoctoral roles at the University of Lausanne (2014-2015) and the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (2012-2014). He completed his PhD in Applied Mathematics at the University of Glasgow (2012) and a Bachelor/Master of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (2009). His research focuses on the mechanics of soft solids and structures, particularly under extreme deformation. Key areas include smart composites with multi-physics coupling (electro-mechanical and magneto-mechanical) and soft biological tissues. He employs tools like nonlinear solid mechanics, continuum mechanics, and numerical analysis to study instabilities in these materials. His work emphasizes the exploitation of instabilities as design features in engineering applications. Research grants include EPSRC funding (2021-2024) and multiple awards from India's Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB). Notable awards: EPSRC New Investigator Award (2021), Ramanujan Fellowship (2015-2018), and multiple SERB Early Career Awards. Teaching roles include Finite Element Analysis, Dynamics, and Structural Mechanics courses at the University of Glasgow. Professional activities include editorial roles in Mathematics and Mechanics of Solids and organizing international conferences. His publications span over 40 papers in journals like Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids and Proceedings of the Royal Society A , with a focus on magnetoelastic deformation, instabilities, and computational mechanics.
