Kerstin Grosch

Dr. Kerstin Grosch is an Assistant Professor in Behavioral Economics at WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, affiliated with the Institute for Markets and Strategy. She is also a Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS) in Vienna and holds a Hertha Firnberg Fellowship from FWF. Her research integrates experimental methods—particularly lab-in-the-field experiments—to examine labor markets, ethics, and educational contexts, with a focus on underrepresented groups. Key interests include job-related attitudes, (un)ethical behavior, patience, and saving decisions. She has conducted studies in Ghana and Germany, emphasizing equitable institutional design and policy impact.

Education:

• B.Sc. Economics, Technical University of Dresden (2007-2011)
• M.Sc. Economics, Technical University of Dresden (2011-2013)
• Ph.D. in Behavioral Economics, University of Göttingen (2014-2017)

Research Interests: Grosch’s work bridges theory and practice, using experimental tools to address real-world issues like gender equity in STEM, leadership ethics, and sustainable development. Recent studies explore children’s behavioral patterns and the role of preferences in labor market outcomes. Her findings aim to inform policies that reduce inequalities and enhance fairness in institutions.

Grants & Awards:

• FWF Hertha Firnberg Fellowship (current)
• German Research Foundation (DFG) funding during Ph.D. (2014-2017)

Key Contributions: Her research combines field experiments with theoretical insights to design equitable policies. Notable projects include analyzing gender disparities in STEM education, leadership ethics, and nudging strategies for sustainable practices. She has advised on institutional design and served as Acting Head of the Behavioral Economics Research Group at IHS (2021). Currently, she explores developmental behavioral economics through studies on children’s decision-making.

Labs/Teams: Affiliated with WU’s Institute for Markets and Strategy and IHS’s Behavioral Economics Group, she collaborates on interdisciplinary projects. Active in mentoring early-career researchers and advising on experimental methodologies.