We are continuing the RFBerlin Masterclass Series, based on the Handbook of Labour Economics. In this series we invite contributed authors of handbook chapters to Berlin for in-depth, two-day teaching sessions.
This time, we are happy to welcome Christopher Stanton for the next masterclass in the series.
RFBerlin Masterclass by Christopher Stanton: 24-25 September 2026
For this Masterclass, we welcome Christopher Stanton, Marvin Bower Associate Professor of Business Administration in the Entrepreneurial Management Unit at Harvard Business School.
His research examines how technology is reshaping the organization and management of work, with a focus on digital platforms, remote work, and labor market dynamics. His work has been published in academic journals and public outlet frequently on the future of work. At Harvard, he teaches the MBA elective class“Managing the Future of Work.” Professor Stanton is also an academic affiliate of Cornerstone Research and a Faculty Research Fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research.
People, Practices, and Productivity: A Review of New Advances in Personnel Economics
by Mitchell Hoffman & Christopher Stanton
This chapter surveys recent advances in personnel economics. We discuss new research on incentives and compensation; hiring practices; the influence of managers and peers; and time use, technology, and training. Two main themes emerge from this survey. First, we illustrate the interplay between these topics and productivity differences between people and work units. We discuss evidence showing substantial and persistent productivity variation among workers in the same roles, and we examine the extent to which personnel economics research can explain this variation. Second, personnel economics has benefited from exploration – the willingness to use new data and methods to shed light on existing questions and raise new ones. Since the last handbook chapter, personnel economics has evolved from focusing primarily on compensation and incentives to embracing a broader research agenda that examines various HR practices and their impact on worker and firm outcomes. As many personnel studies use data from individual firms, we discuss external validity and provide concrete guidance on improving discussions of generalizability from specific contexts.
Event Details:
24 September 2026
Two morning classes (~60m each)
Two afternoon classes (~60m each)
25 September 2026
Two morning classes (~60m each)
The final schedule and additional information will be shared with successful applicants closer to the event.
Application Process:
Application Deadline: 30 July 2026
Decision Notification: 10 August 2026, subject to adjustment based on the volume of applications received.
To apply, please use the application form below. Participation is free, but travel and accommodation costs are not covered. Applications are open to PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and early-career academics.
If you have any questions or need further information, feel free to contact us using the form or email us at [email protected]
We look forward to welcoming you to Berlin and sharing this experience with you.
