Scientists at ifo – A Life in Research

Why do some regions grow – and others don’t? How do innovations come about? And what rules help create prosperity? Questions like these are what drive Oliver Falck. However, it was by no means a foregone conclusion that he would one day become an economist. Looking back on his career, he describes himself as a late bloomer. It was only after taking a few detours that he found his calling in economics.

Sarah Necker chose a path in academia out of a deep conviction: a love for the pursuit of truth and the intellectual freedom that comes with it. After finishing school, she first trained as an advertising clerk. It was all about purchase decisions – understanding and influencing human behavior. That fascination stuck with her. 

Research needs a lot of creativity. That’s one of the reasons Luca Perdoni has decided to pursue a career in research. The freedom to explore and craft his own research questions is something he values very much.

It was clear early on that Lisandra Flach was drawn toward a career in science. Flach describes herself as someone who was always curious, even as a child. This motivation goes far beyond purely intellectual inquisitiveness.

Marcel Thum’s professional journey began with curiosity, but also with doubts. During his doctorate, there were times in which his career progressed in a straight line, and others in which he had the feeling that nothing was working out at all. He first gained recognition very quickly, when he published research papers which passed the review process relatively smoothly early on in the dissertation phase – a moment that felt really good. 

Annalí Casanueva’s journey to science began with a deep-rooted desire to change the world. She grew up in Mexico and was exposed to the harsh conditions of poverty and inequality that shaped her young ambitions. 

The Credibility Revolution in economics was a key factor that motivated Sebastian Wichert to pursue a career in science. 

Niklas Potrafke is Professor of Economics and Head of the Center for Public Finance and Political Economy at the ifo Institute. From an early age, he was fascinated by the question of how the state, society and the economy are interrelated – a curiosity that still drives him today to clearly identify complex connections and sometimes speak the uncomfortable truth.

Dr. Marie-Theres von Schickfus has been Deputy Director of the ifo Center for Energy, Climate, and Resources since 2023. Climate change and dwindling resources pose major challenges for society. How can adaptation be financed and who is responsible for doing that? How can the economy cope with structural change in the wake of decarbonization? Which instruments should be used to incentivize this change, and how can costs be shared fairly? Marie-Theres von Schickfus has answers to these pressing issues.

Dr. Raphael Brade has been a postdoctoral researcher at the ifo Center for the Economics of Education since January 2023. How do differences in educational attainment arise, and how do they affect economic development? In his interview, Raphael Brade discusses the influence of high-achieving peers, the importance of social ties – and what companies can learn from this for their onboarding processes.

Isabella Gourevich has been a doctoral student at the ifo Center for International Economics since September 2021. How can economic globalization and technological change work together, and how can international dialogue bring about welfare gains? In her interview, Isabella Gourevich discusses the potential of a more integrated EU single market for services – and its economic implications.

Annalí Casanueva Artís, Ph.D., is Big Data Junior Research Group Leader and has been a postdoctoral researcher at the ifo Center for the Economics of Innovation and Digital Transformation since June 2023. In a short interview in the Annual Report 2024 she shares insights of her research activities.

Pia Heckl, Ph.D., has been a postdoctoral researcher at the ifo Center for Labor and Demographic Economics since January 2024. Changes in the labor market and among the population always have consequences for society and the economy. In the Annual Report 2024 Pia Heckl talks about the reconciliation of work and familiy life after childbirth.

Prof. Dr. Sarah Necker has been Director of the Ludwig Erhard ifo Center for Social Market Economy and Institutional Economics since June 2022. The social market economy is an internationally recognized economic and social model. It stands for the successful combination of economic efficiency and social balance. Sarah Necker shares insights of her day-to-day work in a short interview in the 2024 Annual Report.

Prof. Panu Poutvaara has been Director of the ifo Center for Migration and Development Economics since 2010. In his short interview he discusses irregular migration and oppurtunites of legal labor immigration.

Prof. Dr. Andreas Peichl has been Director of the ifo Center for Macroeconomics and Surveys since June 2017 and Director of the ifo Center for Public Economics since 2026. He talks about problems with the current basic income support and the citizen's income.

Dr. Cristina Rujan is Data Science Education Coordinator at the EBDC. In her short interview Cristina Rujan discusses the potential for AI in economic research.

David Gstrein and Elena Herold have been PhD students at the ifo Institute since 2021. In their short interview they talk about their scientific research at universities abroad.

Dr. Wolfgang Auer has been Head of Central Services since 2024. He generates space for creative collaboration and determines the strategic direction of Central Services in consultation with the Executive Board.

Christine Kiening, Head of Finance and Controlling at the ifo Institute since the summer of 2024, talks about her field of work in this short interview.

Prof. Dr. Marcel Thum has been Director of ifo Dresden since 2004. In his short interview, he addresses questions on pension policy and explains reform proposals.

Prof. Max Auffhammer is the Avice M. Saint Professor at the University of California, Berkeley. As an ifo Research Professor and CESifo Area Director, he organized the CESifo/ ifo Junior Workshop on Energy and Climate Economics 2024. In his short interview he answers questions on the Workshop.