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Research

Fact of the day

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.

Equity, Inclusion & Opportunity
Equity, Inclusion & Opportunity
Migration & Global Collaboration
Migration & Global Collaboration
Technology, Trade & Human Capital
Technology, Trade & Human Capital

Discussion papers

No. 163/25 - December 2025

Quality Upgrading in the Street Food Market: Is Better Equipment and Training Sufficient?

Caitlin Brown, Denni Tommasi

No. 162/25 - December 2025

Alcohol Consumption and Intimate Partner Violence: Long-Term Effects of a Temporary Alcohol Ban

Arnab K. Basu, Tsenguunjav Byambasuren, Nancy H. Chau

No. 161/25 - December 2025

Random Placement But Real Bias

Marco Schmandt, Constantin Tielkes, Felix Weinhardt

No. 160/25 - December 2025

Reintegrating Older Long-Term Unemployed Workers: The Impact of Temporary Job Guarantees

Alexander Ahammer, Martin Halla, Pia Heckl, Rudolf Winter-Ebmer

Research Insights

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

No. 5/25 - December 2025

Immigration, Jobs and Wages: Separating Regional and Worker Effects

How does immigration affect jobs and wages? Public debates often conflate regional labour market outcomes with the experiences of individual workers. The effects of immigration on “places” and “people” may differ considerably.

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No. 6/25 - December 2025

Migration, Beschäftigung und Löhne: Regionale und individuelle Effekte

Wie wirkt sich Migration auf Arbeitsplätze und Löhne aus? In öffentlichen Debatten werden Effekte auf regionale Arbeitsmärkte häufig mit den individuellen Erfahrungen von Arbeitnehmern vermischt. Die Studie macht deutlich, dass die Effekte der Immigration auf Regionen und auf beschäftigte Arbeitnehmer sehr unterschiedlich sein können.

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No. 4/25 - November 2025

When Offshore Money Comes Home: The Hidden Effects of Anti-Laundering Crackdowns

Using data that connect U.S. businesses to foreign financial networks, the researchers reveal how tougher anti–laundering measures abroad reshaped the flow of illicit funds at home.

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News

RFBerlin research and researchers are regularly featured in the press.

Press release

16 Dec 2025

Do Immigrants Take Natives’ Jobs? New Study Shows the Answer Depends on How You Measure It
View article
Research Insights

16 Dec 2025

Immigration, Jobs and Wages: Separating Regional and Worker Effects
View article
Press release

17 Nov 2025

Panama Papers: Closing money laundering channels risks fuelling activity in others
Read now
Research Insights

17 Nov 2025

When Offshore Money Comes Home: The Hidden Effects of Anti-Laundering Crackdowns
Read now

Tweets by @RF_Berlin

🆕 RFBerlin Discussion Paper!
@MarcoSchmandt, Constantin Tielkes & @FelixWeinhardt show that even with random placement in groups such as schools or neighbourhoods, systematic bias can emerge, highlighting mechanisms behind unequal treatment.
đź”— https://www.rfberlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/25161.pdf

🆕 RFBerlin Discussion Paper!
@AhammerAlex, @HallaMartin, Pia Heckl & @EbmerWinter evaluate a large-scale job guarantee program as a tool to reintegrate older long-term unemployed workers.
đź”— https://www.rfberlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/25160.pdf

🆕 RFBerlin Discussion Paper!
@hooster1, Tina Rozsos & @BasvdKlaauw analyze school choice and switching, developing insights into optimal student–school assignment.
đź”— https://www.rfberlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/25159.pdf

🆕 RFBerlin Discussion Paper!
Mette Foged, @TeresaFreitasM1 & Linea Hasager study how harsh political labeling (Denmark’s “ghetto list”) affects cultural identity and triggers backlash responses.
đź”— https://www.rfberlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/25158.pdf

Upcoming events

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

RFBerlin Masterclass

12 Mar – 13 Mar 2026

“Tasks At Work: Comparative Advantage, Technology and Labor Demand” by Fredric Kong

RFBerlin Event

26 Mar – 27 Mar 2026

RFBerlin Migration Forum

Migration: Drivers, Consequences, and Governance

Conference

16 Apr – 17 Apr 2026

Health and Economic Well-Being: Evidence, Policy, and Frontiers

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.

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