Matthias Benz

Matthias Benz serves as a Visiting Professor at the University of Lucerne since fall 2021, while maintaining his role as Privatdozent (private lecturer) in economics at the University of Zurich since 2009 and holding an Honorary Professorship at the University of Vienna since 2016. Professionally, he is a longstanding member of the economics editorial team at the Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ), having served as business correspondent in Berlin (2009-2014) and Vienna (2014-2020) covering Austria, Central/Eastern Europe, and Ukraine.

His academic foundations include:

• Studies in history, economics, and journalism at the Universities of Zurich and Santiago de Compostela
• Doctorate in economics from the University of Zurich on "Institutions and Human Well-being"
• Habilitation (Privatdozent qualification) at the University of Zurich in 2009

Benz's research integrates institutional economics and human well-being analysis with real-world economic policy, particularly focused on Central/Eastern European economies. His scholarly perspective is deeply informed by frontline journalistic coverage of business developments across Germany, Austria, and Ukraine, creating a unique bridge between academic theory and practical economic reporting.

His recognition includes:

• Bruckhaus Prize of the Schleyer Foundation 2012 for NZZ correspondence work in Germany

While active in academia, Benz's primary professional commitment remains with the NZZ, with no documented formal student advising or major research grants. His academic contributions function alongside his journalism career rather than within dedicated research laboratories or institutional teams.