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

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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. 8/26 - January 2026

Social Interactions, Information, and Preferences for Schools: Experimental Evidence from Los Angeles

Christopher Campos

No. 7/26 - January 2026

Seasonal Allergies and Accidents

Hitoshi Shigeoka, Mika Akesaka

No. 6/26 - January 2026

Urban-Biased Structural Change

Horng Chern Wong, Dennis Novy, Carlo Perroni, Natalie Chen

No. 5/26 - January 2026

Who Chooses and Who Benefits? The Design of Public School Choice Systems

Christopher Campos, Jesse Bruhn, Eric Chyn, Antonia Vazquez

Research Insights

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

News

RFBerlin research and researchers are regularly featured in the press.

Announcement CReAM at RFBerlin Podcast

1 Jul 2025

Our new podcast series: Migration Talks
View Announcement
Press Press release

24 Jun 2025 β€’ Aktuell24, Altii

Adda’s expresses doubts on France’s smoking ban in public
View article
Press release

24 Jun 2025

RFBerlin researcher Adda voices doubts on France’s smoking ban in public
View article
Press

23 Jun 2025 β€’ Der Spiegel

CReAM at RFBerlin report cited by Spiegel
View article

Tweets by @RF_Berlin

🧠New RFBerlin Research Insight!
πŸ‘₯ @luo_qinyue, @LiaoliangZ & Xinhan Zhang

Using a unique setting in China where age caps in job ads are legal, this study reveals how explicit age requirements shape who applies, and who doesn’t.

One of the surprising findings? Even younger

New RFBerlin Discussion Paper!
@VirginiaMinni, Kieu-Trang Nguyen, Heather Sarsons & @CarlaSrebot show how managers transmit gender norms at work. Who sets the norms inside firms?
πŸ”— https://www.rfberlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/26040.pdf

New RFBerlin Discussion Paper!
@FenellaCarpena & Simon Galle study how technical change affects workers across occupations. The mechanisms behind adjustment matter.
πŸ”— https://www.rfberlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/26039.pdf

New RFBerlin Discussion Paper!
Jim Albrecht, Per-Anders Edin, Raquel Fernandez, Jiwon Lee, Peter Skogman Thoursie & Susan Vroman analyze how parental leave shapes norms. Can policy change culture as well as behavior?
πŸ”— https://www.rfberlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/26038.pdf

Upcoming events

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

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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