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. 151/25 - December 2025

Online Tutoring, School Performance, and School-to-Work Transitions: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Silke Anger, Bernhard Christoph, Agata Galkiewicz, Shushanik Margaryan, Malte Sandner, Thomas Siedler

No. 150/25 - December 2025

Expected Asylum Seekers and Far-Right Voting: Effects of a Dispersal Act

Joop Adema

No. 149/25 - December 2025

How Early Career Choices Adjust to Economic Crises

Julien Grenet, Hans Grönqvist, Edvin Hertegård, Martin Nybom, Jan Stuhler

No. 148/25 - December 2025

Incentive Effects of Disability Benefits

Annica Gehlen, Sebastian Becker, Johannes Geyer, Peter Haan

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.

Press release

5 Feb 2025

EU grants for technology investments boost turnover and employment
View article
Press Video

4 Feb 2025 • WELT

Christian Dustmann Comments on U.S. Trade Tariffs
View article
Press

4 Feb 2025 • Politiken

Christian Dustmann on Trump’s Trade Threats and Europe’s Economic Strength
View article
Press

31 Jan 2025 • BNP Paribas Zertifikate Magazin

Jan Knuf on Trump’s Tariff Plans and Global Trade
View article

Tweets by @RF_Berlin

🧠New RFBerlin Research Insight!
👥 @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?
🔗 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.
🔗 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?
🔗 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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