Marcel Thum

Prof. Marcel Thum is a leading academic in Public Finance and Political Economy, serving as Head of the ifo Dresden branch and Chair of Public Finance at TU Dresden. His research spans tax policy, climate economics, and institutional governance. He holds a PhD (1995) and Habilitation (2001) from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.

• Affiliations: TU Dresden (Faculty of Business Management and Economics), ifo Institute (Dresden Branch)
• Educations:
  • Habilitation, University of Munich (2001)
  • PhD, University of Munich (1995, summa cum laude)
  • Diplom-Volkswirt, University of Munich (1990)

Research Interests: Thum focuses on tax policy effectiveness, corruption dynamics, climate finance, and demographic challenges. He critiques green finance mechanisms and explores fiscal responses to energy sanctions. His work bridges theoretical models (e.g., repeated extortion games) with empirical analysis of real-world policies like minimum wage impacts.

Recent articles analyze regional inflation disparities in Saxony, green finance limitations, and flood migration behavior. He co-authored influential works on boardroom competence during the subprime crisis and oil dependency's educational effects.

• Grants & Projects:
  • "Konzeptionelle Weiterentwicklung der Sozialen Marktwirtschaft" (2024, BMWK)
  • "Wirtschaftspolitische Agenda für Bayern" (2024, Bavarian Ministry)
  • "Rentenreform bei angespanntem Bundeshaushalt" (2021, FNF)
• Awards: 2010 Standard Life Prize (ECGI), 2005 ifo Research Prize

Thum advises institutions like the German Federal Ministry of Finance and chairs the Board of the German Institute for Population Research. His teaching spans public economics, transition economies, and policy justification frameworks.