Stefan Sperlich

Stefan Sperlich is a Full Professor and Director of the Research Institute for Statistics and Information Science at the University of Geneva's Geneva School of Economics and Management. He holds dual appointments in the Department of Econometrics and Statistics, with affiliations in both the Research Institute for Statistics and Information Science and the Institute of Economics and Econometrics.

Dr. Sperlich earned his diploma in mathematics from the University of Göttingen and completed his PhD in economics at Humboldt University of Berlin. His academic career includes professorships at University Carlos III de Madrid (1998-2006) and the University of Göttingen (2006-2010), before joining the University of Geneva in 2010.

Professor Sperlich's research spans nonparametric and semiparametric statistics, small area estimation, and impact evaluation methods. His work bridges theoretical econometrics with practical applications in development economics, policy evaluation, and poverty measurement. He has made significant contributions to specification testing, causal inference methodologies, and the development of robust statistical techniques for small area estimation. His research often addresses real-world problems through collaborations with international institutions and development programs.

His recent publications reveal a strong focus on advancing methodological frameworks for small area statistics, causal inference, and nonparametric estimation. Key themes include developing robust inference techniques for linear mixed models, improving bandwidth selection methods, and creating model-free approaches to difference-in-differences estimation. His work increasingly integrates computational statistics with traditional econometric methods to address challenges in big data analysis and distributed data environments.

Professor Sperlich has received numerous accolades including:

• Tjalling C. Koopmans Econometric Theory Prize (2000-2002)
• Augusto Gonzalez Linares award (2014) for attracting international talent
• Elected member of the International Statistical Institute (since 2025)
• Special rewards from the Economics Department at University Carlos III de Madrid (2004-2005)
• Grants from the Institute Flores de Lemus (2001-2003)

As an advisor and researcher, Professor Sperlich has supervised numerous graduate students and led significant research initiatives. He co-founded the research center 'Poverty, Equity and Growth in Developing Countries' at the University of Göttingen and serves as a research fellow at the Center for Evaluation and Development in Mannheim, Germany. His consultancy work spans regional, national, and international institutions, with participation in development programs like EUROSOCIAL and UN assessment reports. He has secured multiple research grants supporting his work in statistical methodology and economic applications.

Professor Sperlich leads research teams focused on nonparametric methods, small area statistics, and impact evaluation. His research group develops innovative statistical approaches for poverty mapping, causal inference, and composite indicator construction. The team maintains strong connections with statistical offices and international organizations, ensuring their methodological advances have practical applications in policy development and evaluation.