Teodora Boneva

Teodora Boneva serves as Professor of Applied Microeconomics at the University of Bonn and Faculty Member of the Cluster of Excellence ECONtribute: Markets and Public Policy. Her interdisciplinary work bridges economic theory and behavioral science to evaluate evidence-based policy solutions for societal challenges.

Her academic foundation includes:

• Economics studies at Mannheim
• Master's degree from University of Cambridge
• PhD in Economics from University of Cambridge (2015)

Prof. Boneva's research examines how beliefs and societal expectations shape behavior, with particular focus on socioeconomic inequality, gender dynamics, child development, and climate policy. She employs field experiments and multinational surveys to identify policies enhancing social mobility and gender equality. Her methodology emphasizes real-world applicability through large-scale behavioral data collection across diverse cultural contexts.

Recent publications reveal consistent themes in behavioral responses to policy interventions, especially regarding misperceived social norms in climate action and gender equity. The 2024 Nature Climate Change publication demonstrates how correcting norm misperceptions can increase climate policy support globally, highlighting cross-cultural variations in policy acceptance.

Key recognitions include:

• ERC Starting Grant for gender inequality research in labor markets

Prof. Boneva serves on the Editorial Board of The Review of Economic Studies and directs research funded by competitive grants including her ERC project. Her policy briefs directly inform energy and geopolitical decision-making, though specific student mentorship details aren't documented in source materials.

As core Cluster member since 2021, she leads interdisciplinary teams within ECONtribute combining economic modeling with psychological insights. Her research groups conduct field experiments across six countries, maintaining partnerships with policymakers to translate findings into actionable climate and gender equality initiatives.