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
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.
Discussion papers
No. 24/26 - January 2026
College Major Choice, Payoffs, and Gender Gaps
Christopher Campos, Pablo Muñoz, Alonso Bucarey, Dante Contreras
No. 23/26 - January 2026
How Parenting Styles Shape Children’s Lifetime Outcomes
Hans Grönqvist, Bart Golsteyn, Thomas Dohmen, Edvin Hertegård, Gerard Pfann
No. 22/26 - January 2026
No. 21/26 - January 2026
Wedges: A Microeconomic Perspective on Misallocation
Lauren Falcao Bergquist, Danial Lashkari, Eric Verhoogen
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.

29 Sep 2025
The Winners and Losers of Collective Bargaining Decentralization
View article
26 Sep 2025 • Süddeutsche Zeitung
Christian Dustmann on Tackling Germany’s Labor Shortages
View article
3 Sep 2025 • Deutsche Welle
Christian Dustmann on Refugee Integration in Germany’s Labor Market on DW Podcast
View article
22 Aug 2025 • The Parliament Magazine
Christian Dustmann comments on the new EU-US tariff policies in the car sector
View articleTweets 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
Upcoming events
RFBerlin hosts a wide array of events aimed at fostering academic research and collaboration.
RFBerlin Applied Economics Seminar
30 June 2026
Raffaele Saggio (University of British Columbia)
TBA
RFBerlin Applied Economics Seminar
7 July 2026
Alexandre Mas (University of California, Berkeley)
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.

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


