Michael Naef

Professor Michael Naef is the Head of the Department of Economics and a Professor at Durham University's Business School. His research focuses on Experimental and Behavioral Economics and Neuroeconomics, exploring topics such as trust dynamics, cultural influences on cooperation, and neurochemical effects on decision-making. He leads the Department of Economics within a triple-accredited business school, emphasizing academic excellence and global connections.

Key research interests include investigating how dopamine receptors modulate trust behavior, the origins of cooperative behavior in rice-farming cultures, and the role of testosterone in social interactions. His work combines experimental economics with neuroscience and psychology, often employing pharmacological interventions and neuroimaging techniques.

Publications highlight contributions to understanding volatility in trust beliefs (2023), the neurobiological basis of social learning (2019), and testosterone's influence on competitiveness (2017). He advises PhD students Angel Li and Zekun Lin, focusing on advancing behavioral economic theory and applications.

Prof. Naef's research has implications for understanding cultural economic differences, mental health impacts on decision-making, and the biological underpinnings of social preferences. His work bridges disciplines, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations in economics, neuroscience, and endocrinology.