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. 20/26 - January 2026

Adapting to Scarcity: The Role of Firms in Occupational Transitions

Jeremias Klaeui, Daniel Kopp, Rafael Lalive, Michael Siegenthaler

No. 19/26 - January 2026

PTSD and refugees’ underemployment: Evidence from displaced Ukrainians

Mette Foged, Karen-Inge Karstoft, Edith Zink

No. 18/26 - January 2026

Paying for peers? Parental willingness to pay for school composition and quality in Switzerland

Maria A. Cattaneo, Stefan Wolter, Thea Zöllner

No. 17/26 - January 2026

Moving to Opportunity, Together

Seema Jayachandran, Lea Nassal, Matthew J. Notowidigdo, Marie Paul, Heather Sarsons, Elin Sundberg

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

29 Jul 2025

Removing caps to the salaries of public managers could bring skilled workers back to the public sector
View article
CReAM at RFBerlin Podcast

25 Jul 2025

Migration Talks: Forced or free to move? Insights from Finland and Mozambique on displacement, climate and the cost of starting over.
View article
Press Press release

23 Jul 2025

Research on Employment Among Immigrants to the EU in the Media
View article
Press Video

19 Jul 2025

Christian Dustmann on rising employment of migrants in Europe on Phoenix TV from Hong Kong
View article

Tweets by @RF_Berlin

đź§ 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?
đź”— 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.
đź”— 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?
đź”— 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 Masterclass

5 Nov – 6 Nov 2026

“Racial Inequality in the Labor Market” by Speaker to be announced

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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