Julian Degan

Julian Degan is a Research Fellow at the Center for Sustainable Economic and Business Policy, Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences since 2023, and at the Nell-Breuning Institute since 2017. His academic work focuses on the economic and ethical dimensions of housing policy, property rights, and economic inequality, with strong connections to Catholic Social Teaching.

Dr. Degan completed his studies in Applied Economics and Catholic Religious Education at the University of Innsbruck (2010-2017), including a study abroad year at the University of Alberta, Canada (2014-2015), and a research internship at the Oswald von Nell-Breuning Institute in 2016.

His research interests encompass housing policy, economic ethics, property rights, urban economics, wealth inequality, and applications of Catholic Social Teaching. Dr. Degan approaches these topics through interdisciplinary analysis, examining how market dynamics intersect with social justice concerns, particularly in urban contexts where housing affordability has become a critical social issue.

Analysis of his publications reveals a consistent focus on housing affordability, urban land policy, and the ethical implications of property ownership. His scholarly work frequently draws connections between historical policy frameworks and contemporary challenges, with particular attention to how housing markets affect social inequality. He has developed a distinctive methodology that combines economic analysis with ethical reflection, often collaborating with Prof. Dr. Bernhard Emunds on research examining the intersection of economic policy and moral considerations.

• Max Weber Prize for Business Ethics of the German Economic Institute
• Master's Award 2018

Dr. Degan has led significant research projects including 'Controversial urban land' (2023-2026), 'Is there a right to urban housing? Socio-ethical analyses' (2019-2022), and 'Ethical aspects of church investment in commercial real estate' (2014-2017). His work bridges academic research with practical policy recommendations through the Nell-Breuning Institute and the Center for Sustainable Economic and Business Policy, where he contributes to interdisciplinary collaborations between economists, theologians, and policy experts.