Michael Irlacher

Michael Irlacher is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at Johannes Kepler University Linz, where he has been tenured since October 2024. Previously, he served as a tenure-track Assistant Professor (2019-2024) and non-tenure-track Assistant Professor at the University of Munich (2014-2019). He maintains active research affiliations as a Research Affiliate at CESifo since November 2018 and as a Member of the Standing Field Committee in International Economics for the German Economics Association (VfS) since May 2022.

His educational background includes a Habilitation (venia legendi) from Johannes Kepler University Linz with a thesis on Essays in International Trade and Spatial Economics, a PhD in Economics (summa cum laude) from the University of Munich with a dissertation on Essays on Multi-Product Firms and International Trade, and a Diplom (M.A.) in Economics from the University of Munich.

Dr. Irlacher's research program focuses on international economics, particularly examining multiproduct firms, trade dynamics, and labor market implications. His work bridges theoretical modeling with empirical analysis of firm behavior in international markets. He has made significant contributions to understanding how mergers affect product scope of firms, how trade costs impact commodity substitution patterns, and how technology influences internationalization strategies. His research often employs spatial and structural econometric methods to analyze complex economic phenomena.

His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on the intersection of firm heterogeneity and international trade, with particular attention to how multi-product firms navigate global markets. The research demonstrates sophisticated methodological approaches combining theoretical modeling with detailed empirical analysis of firm-level data, particularly from European contexts. His work has important policy implications for trade policy, competition policy, and understanding the distributional effects of globalization.

At JKU Linz, Dr. Irlacher teaches International Economics courses and supervises bachelor theses. His teaching covers both theoretical foundations and empirical applications of international trade models, with particular emphasis on contemporary issues in global trade dynamics. He is actively involved in the academic community through seminar presentations, conference participation, and collaborations with researchers across Europe.