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

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. 32/26 - January 2026

Sick of Your Poor Neighborhood? Quasi-Experimental Evidence on Neighborhood Effects on Health

Linea Hasager, Mia Jørgensen

No. 31/26 - January 2026

Migration, Climate Similarity, and the Consequences of Climate Mismatch

Marguerite Obolensky, Marco Tabellini, Charles A. Taylor

No. 30/26 - January 2026

Diagnosing ADHD in Prison: The Effects on Inmates and Their Families

Randi Hjalmarsson, Matthew J. Lindquist

No. 29/26 - January 2026

Fertility and Family Leave Policies in Germany: Optimal Policy Design in a Dynamic Framework

Hanna Wang

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

28 Oct 2025 • L’Express

Christian Dustmann on Europe’s Long-Term Approach to Immigration and Integration
View article
CReAM at RFBerlin Press

22 Oct 2025 • Radio 24

Tommaso Frattini on Italian Migration Policy
View article
CReAM at RFBerlin Press

21 Oct 2025 • Il Sole 24 Ore

The Role of Migrants in the Italian Economy
View article
Press

7 Oct 2025 • Financial Times

RFBerlin Affiliates Featured in Financial Times on Graduate Employment Choices
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.

RFBerlin Applied Economics Seminar

20 May 2026

Jacob Moscona (MIT)

TBA

RFBerlin Applied Economics Seminar

26 May 2026

Isaac Sorkin (Stanford University)

TBA

RFBerlin Applied Economics Seminar

9 June 2026

Melanie Wasserman (UCLA Anderson School of Management)

TBA

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.

Image link

Sign up to our newsletter

Keep up to date with upcoming RFBerlin events, our new research and other news from our research centre.