Patrick Rey

Patrick Rey is a Professor of Economics at the University of Toulouse and a member of the Toulouse School of Economics. He serves as research director of the Institut d’Economie Industrielle (IDEI), which he previously headed. Prior to joining Toulouse, he founded and led the Laboratoire d’Economie Industrielle (LEI) at CREST (INSEE, Paris) and was affiliated with ENSAE Paris.

His educational background includes a PhD in Economics from the University of Toulouse, an engineer degree from Ecole Polytechnique (where he also served as professor), and a statistician-economist degree from ENSAE. These qualifications form the foundation of his expertise in quantitative economic analysis.

Rey’s research focuses on Industrial Organization, Competition Policy, Regulation, Innovation, and Intellectual Property. He is globally recognized as a leading competition economics expert, bridging theoretical frameworks with real-world antitrust applications. His work critically examines digital market dynamics, pricing strategies, and regulatory challenges, particularly in platform economies and unilateral conduct cases.

Recent publications reveal a pronounced emphasis on digital platform competition, antitrust enforcement mechanisms, and consumer behavior in complex markets. The research integrates advanced game-theoretic modeling with empirical analysis to address evolving competition policy challenges, especially in technology-driven sectors where traditional frameworks face new pressures.

His distinguished accolades include:

• Fellow of the Econometric Society
• Fellow of the European Economic Association
• Senior member of the Institut Universitaire de France
• ERC Senior Grant recipient
• Honoris Causa doctorate from the Norwegian School of Economics
• Former President of the European Association for Research in Industrial Economics (EARIE)

Rey actively shapes global competition policy through expert testimony in major antitrust cases and advisory roles for the OECD, World Bank, US Department of Justice, and European Commission. He co-founded the Association for Competition Economics (ACE) and coordinated the EAGCP expert group on Article 82 for the European Commission, demonstrating significant influence on regulatory frameworks.

He directs the Institut d’Economie Industrielle (IDEI), a premier industrial economics research hub, and previously established the Laboratoire d’Economie Industrielle (LEI) at CREST. His innovative pedagogical tool—the "market game"—revolutionizes economics education by simulating real-world market dynamics for students.