Homepage

We conduct independent research into significant challenges to the economy, society and the welfare state in a global world.

About us

Work with us

Become part of our research team

Join as a PhD student

Join as a postdoc

Research

Learn more

The ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin Institute for the Economy and the Future of Work (RFBerlin) engages in research designed to raise the standard of public debate and create the best possible basis for policy making.

Discussion papers

No. 171/26 - June 2026

Collective Bargaining in Germany: Trends and Challenges

Lutz Bellmann, Christian Dustmann, Bernd Fitzenberger

View paper

No. 170/26 - June 2026

Changes in Returns to Multidimensional Skills across Cohorts

Lorenzo Navarini

View paper

No. 169/26 - June 2026

Economic and Magnet Effects of Work Authorization for Asylum Seekers: Descriptive Evidence from the United States

Michael A. Clemens, Amy M. Nice, Natalia Rigol

View paper

No. 168/26 - June 2026

More Channels, Lower Scores: Entertainment Television and Student Achievement

Andrea Caria, Daniele Checchi, Dimitri Paolini, Paolo Pinotti

View paper

View all Discussion Papers

Research Insights

Concise, research-based articles for scholars,
policymakers, and anyone curious about the world.

All Research Insights

No. 21/26 - June 2026

Did Extractive Taxation Trigger the French Revolution?

This study explores how heavier taxation under the Ancien Régime contributed to unrest and anti-tax grievances before 1789. The findings suggest that unequal and extractive taxation undermined the monarchy’s legitimacy and helped fuel support for revolutionary change.

Opportunity

Learn more

No. 20/26 - June 2026

Friends at Work: Do Social Connections Make Teams Perform Better?

Imagine a workplace where teams occasionally meet outside work—sharing a meal, playing games, or simply spending time together. It may sound like a small perk, but could it actually be profitable for employers to support such activities?

Opportunity

Learn more

No. 19/26 - May 2026

Highly Controlling Parenting Linked to Worse Life Chances of Children

How much do parents shape their children’s future? This research looks at how different parenting styles are related to children’s outcomes from school all the way into the labor market.

Learn more

CReAM Reports

Data-driven reports on migration and related economic and social trends, highlighting the latest developments across Europe and beyond.

All CReAM Reports

No. 4/26 - May 2026

Immigrant Educational Attainment in the European Union: Origin, Gender and Cross-Country Differences

This report examines educational attainment among natives, EU-born immigrants, and non-EU-born immigrants across the European Union, highlighting how differences by origin, gender, and country continue to shape educational outcomes despite a general rise in tertiary attainment since 2017.

Human Capital Opportunity

View report

No. 3/26 - April 2026

The Immigrant Population in the European Union: Growth, Concentration and Dispersion

The EU hosts a record 64 million foreign-born residents, with migration continuing to grow strongly, though unevenly across countries. While Germany and Spain dominate in absolute numbers, smaller Member States often face greater relative pressure.

Demography Human Capital

View report

No. 2/26 - March 2026

Migration Aspirations, Diaspora Networks and Refugee Destinations from Iran and Lebanon

Migration from Iran and Lebanon largely follows existing diaspora routes, especially to Germany and Canada. If displacement rises, flows will likely concentrate in a few high-income countries, with education shaping how widely destinations are considered.

Integration Migration

View report

News

RFBerlin research and researchers are regularly featured in the press.

View all press

Press

8 Jun 2026

Christian Dustmann in WELT on Wages and Productivity

View article

Press

8 Jun 2026

Andrea Weber Featured in Der Standard Interview on Gender Quotas

View article

Announcement

22 May 2026 • Festschrift in Honour of Christian Dustmann

Exploring Frontiers in Labour Economics

Learn More

Press

20 May 2026

Christian Dustmann in Table.Briefings on Germany’s Migration Challenges

View article

Tweets by @RF_Berlin

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

16 Jun

Today, we welcome @AndersPHumlum (@UChicago), as he gives a seminar on

Integrators: The Firm Boundaries of Capital-Skill Complementarity.

Reply on Twitter 2066862277052023097 Retweet on Twitter 2066862277052023097 Like on Twitter 2066862277052023097 9

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

13 Jun

Does new machinery really raise demand for skilled labour? Firm-level data keeps saying no. Anders Humlum (University of Chicago) shows why everyone was looking in the wrong place: the skills are hired outside the firm.
Join the RFBerlin Seminar, 16 June at 14:00
More:

Reply on Twitter 2065690707226943638 Retweet on Twitter 2065690707226943638 Like on Twitter 2065690707226943638 4

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

12 Jun

The 2026 RFBerlin–CEPR Annual Symposium on Labour Economics has come to a close!

Over two days in Berlin, researchers presented work on innovation & technology, gender gaps in occupational choice, wage policies, and firm dynamics.

Thank you to our keynotes Danielle Li

Reply on Twitter 2065449054532952435 Retweet on Twitter 2065449054532952435 6 Like on Twitter 2065449054532952435 29

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

12 Jun

Our second last speaker of the day is @bmottironi from @bancaditalia presenting:

Remote Work and Labor Market Power.

#RFBerlinCEPR

Reply on Twitter 2065408803248501141 Retweet on Twitter 2065408803248501141 Like on Twitter 2065408803248501141 1

Upcoming events

RFBerlin hosts a wide array of events aimed at fostering academic research and collaboration.

RFBerlin Applied Economics Seminar

23 June 2026

Antonio Cabrales (Charles III University of Madrid)

Mental health stigma: an intervention

RFBerlin Masterclass

6 Jul – 7 Jul 2026

“Non-wage amenities” by Alexandre Mas

RFBerlin Applied Economics Seminar

7 July 2026

Alexandre Mas (University of California, Berkeley)

The Labor Market as an Equilibrium Newsvendor Problem

View all events

Handbook of Labor Economics – Chapter Previews

In anticipation of the upcoming Handbook of Labor Economics, we offer early access to select chapters through our Discussion Papers series. Following our 2023 conference on this new edition, first chapters are now available for preview, featuring insights from leading research in economics and labor.

We conduct independent research into significant challenges to the economy, society and the welfare state in a global world.

Become part of our research team

Research

Equity, Inclusion & Opportunity

Migration & Global Collaboration

Technology, Trade & Human Capital

Discussion papers

Research Insights

Did Extractive Taxation Trigger the French Revolution?

Friends at Work: Do Social Connections Make Teams Perform Better?

Highly Controlling Parenting Linked to Worse Life Chances of Children

CReAM Reports

Immigrant Educational Attainment in the European Union: Origin, Gender and Cross-Country Differences

The Immigrant Population in the European Union: Growth, Concentration and Dispersion

Migration Aspirations, Diaspora Networks and Refugee Destinations from Iran and Lebanon

News

Christian Dustmann in WELT on Wages and Productivity

Andrea Weber Featured in Der Standard Interview on Gender Quotas

Exploring Frontiers in Labour Economics

Christian Dustmann in Table.Briefings on Germany’s Migration Challenges

Upcoming events

RFBerlin Applied Economics Seminar

Antonio Cabrales (Charles III University of Madrid)

RFBerlin Masterclass

“Non-wage amenities” by Alexandre Mas

RFBerlin Applied Economics Seminar

Alexandre Mas (University of California, Berkeley)

Handbook of Labor Economics – Chapter Previews

Sign up to our newsletter