Department of Economics
Department of Economics at Copenhagen Business School is an international and dynamic academic community. We are recognized for business-relevant economic research that addresses pressing societal challenges, and for bringing this knowledge into the classroom through research-based teaching and critical dialogue.
About the department (Panel content)
Who we are
80+ Colleagues
8 Primary thematic focus areas
2 Research Centers
Pushing the frontiers of economic research at the intersection of academia and business
We make a difference
What we work on
- Focus on business-relevant and policy-driven research
- Core teaching areas: microeconomics, macroeconomics, and quantitative methods
- Key topics: pensions, energy infrastructure, inequality, innovation, behaviour and labor, among others
- Home to PeRCent and Copenhagen School of Energy Infrastructure
Our ambition and societal role
- Create research that informs public debate and decision-making
- Contribute to solving long-term economic and societal challenges
- Educate globally minded leaders through research-based teaching
- Be among leading economics departments in a European business school context
About us
Strategy
We aim to be internationally recognized for our rigorous research, impactful teaching, and public engagement. We promote innovation and support excellence in research and dissemination. Our collegial work environment prioritizes diversity, free speech, and mutual respect. We invest in high-quality infrastructure to support learning, research, and outreach, and we actively reward academic excellence in hiring and promotion. We value collaboration, mentorship, and collective contribution to departmental life.
Our History
Founded on a commitment to academic freedom and societal impact, our department has grown into a vibrant, internationally connected hub for research and teaching. Over the years, we have cultivated strong interdisciplinary ties and a tradition of excellence in economics and quantitative methods.
Management Team / Department Forum
Our management team consists of Head of Department Alexander Sebald, Vice -Head of Department Dario Pozzoli, and Head of Administration Torben Timmermann.
The Department Forum comprises representatives from each employment group—the Forum meets regularly to discuss key departmental matters. It plays an important advisory role, ensuring that diverse perspectives are heard in decision-making processes. Current members of The Department Forum are:
- Head of Department Alexander Sebald (chair)
- Employee Representative for academic staff David Jinkins (deputy chair)
- Head of Secretariat Torben Timmermann (for the administration)
- Professor Dolores Romero Morales
- Associate Professor Anette Boom
- Assistant Professor Marek Giebel
- PhD Fellow Barnabas Fabian Bakay
Culture and Collaboration
We foster a culture of openness, respect, and shared responsibility. All members—faculty, staff, and students—are encouraged to engage in departmental life, collaborate across disciplines, mentor colleagues, and recognize each other’s achievements. We believe this inclusive environment fuels innovation and impact.
Centres at the department
Department of Economics houses two research centres
Pension Research Centre
Through high-quality research and teaching, the Pension Research Centre (PeRCent) contributes to strenghening…
Copenhagen School of Energy Infrastructure (CSEI)
The Copenhagen School of Energy Infrastructure (CSEI) conducts research in tomorrow’s energy infra…
Research and publications (Panel content)
Our research
Department of Economics conducts research in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and quantitative methods, with a strong focus on business-related and policy-relevant issues. Our goal is to create rigorous, high-impact knowledge that informs public debate, guides decision-making, and supports responsible economic development.
We address key societal challenges such as pension systems, energy infrastructure, inequality, and economic resilience. Through research centres like PeRCent and the Copenhagen School of Energy Infrastructure, we contribute to evidence-based solutions in areas critical to society’s long-term sustainability and well-being.
Publications
See all publicationsJanuary 2026
Outliers and Rewards in Regulation
Insights From German Electricity Benchmarking
Go to publicationDecember 2025
Reaching for the Society
The Commercialization Effects of NASA Technology Licensing
Marek Giebel, Tenure Track Assistant Professor
Anja Rosner
Our primary thematic focus areas
Behavior, Incentives and Economic Design
Behavior, Incentives, and Economic Design (BIED) is an interdisciplinary research group that investigates how individual preferences and beliefs form and determine behavior, and how individuals respond to incentives.
Quantitative/Empirical Methods and Data Science
We develop and apply innovative concepts and techniques in operations research, econometrics and experimental economics. Using ML/AI, LLMs, microeconometrics, experiments, optimization, revealed preferences and benchmarking, we rigorously address firms’ economic decisions and tackle issues in e.g. energy, health, innovation, and inequality.
Energy, Environment and Resources
We research sustainable development to realise the green transition, focusing on energy and environmental economics and policy. Our work focuses on European energy transformation, markets and regulation, renewables, and energy in the global south. Supported by EU/Nordic funds and industry, we provide research-based teaching and engage stakeholders.
Firm Behavior, Innovation and the Functioning
We study how firms innovate, grow, and respond to regulation, digitalization, climate risks, and market changes and in which way firms’ responses change the market outcomes for competing firms and consumers. Combining theory and data, we explore topics in entrepreneurship, productivity, energy transitions and housing.
Welfare: Education, Health Care and Pensions
We study societal challenges and the role of public policy in addressing them, focusing on: (1) demographic change and aging-related costs; (2) gender and socioeconomic inequality in work, health, education, and welfare; (3) education-job mismatches and welfare labor supply; (4) public/private provision of public goods.
Globalization, Migration and Urbanization
We explore the socioeconomic consequences of globalization, migration and urbanization, which reshape cities and societies. Our work addresses pressing issues such as rising income inequality, automation’s impact on prosperity, and gentrification’s effects on residents. We deliver research that advances academic knowledge and informs policy.
Growth, Unemployment, and Inflation
This focus area examines growth, unemployment, and inflation, exploring their drivers and impacts on individuals, firms, and institutions. Using theoretical and applied methods, we study the key forces that are shaping the dynamics of such variable, in order to deliver research relevant to Nordic and global societies."
The Future of Work
We conduct research on labor markets, employment, and policy impacts, as well as the impact of new technologies, addressing issues such as income inequality, the gender pay gap, productivity, and climate change. Our focus includes job matching, wage determinants, skills shortages, entrepreneurship, and self-employment.
Externally funded projects
Luigi Butera, Sapere Aude Grant: (DKK 6.19 million, 2021)
Luigi Butera, Sapere Aude Grant: “The 'Beliefs Lab': Understanding the Evolution and Impact of Beliefs on the Economy” (DKK 6.19 million, 2021)
Annaig Morin, DFF-2 Grant, (DKK 6.18 million, 2025)
Annaig Morin, DFF-2 Grant: “The Gender Career Gap: An Analysis of Occupational Segregation and Career Progression”, (DKK 6.18 million, 2025)
Cedric Schneider, Rockwool Foundation Grant, (DKK 8.18 million, 2021)
Cedric Schneider, Rockwool Foundation Grant: “Digitalization: Jobs, Firms and Households” (DKK 8.18 million, 2021)
Tooraj Jamasb, Horizon Europe Grant, (DKK 6.75 million, 2023)
Tooraj Jamasb, Horizon Europe Grant: “Ports as Energy Transition Hubs” (DKK 6.75 million, 2023)
Education (Panel content)
Our contribution to programmes and courses
Core teaching and programme involvement
Department of Economics plays a key role in CBS’s full-time and part-time programmes by delivering high-quality teaching in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and quantitative methods. Our faculty contribute to both undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as MBA and HD programmes, ensuring a strong theoretical and analytical foundation across a wide range of study lines.
Electives, minors and teaching innovation
The department offers around 30 electives and two dedicated minors, reflecting our commitment to flexible, specialized learning. We also contribute to pedagogical development through new teaching formats, online modules, and data-driven approaches, supporting CBS’s ambition grounded in research-based teaching.
Bachelor programmes
Our department contributes to a wide range of bachelor’s programmes, offering students a solid foundation in both theoretical and applied aspects of economics:
HA almen erhvervsøkonomi
HA er en bred erhvervsøkonomisk uddannelse, der lærer dig at forstå sammenhængene i…
HA i projektledelse
HA PRO giver dig en bred forståelse for virksomheders arbejde med projekter. Du møder forskel…
HA(mat.) - erhvervsøkonomi og matematik
På HA(mat.) arbejder du med virksomheders økonomiske problemer ud fra en matematisk til…
HA(kom.) - erhvervsøkonomi og virksomhedskommunikation
HA(kom.) lærer dig at arbejde strategisk med kommunikation i virksomheder og andre orga…
HA(jur.) - erhvervsøkonomi og erhvervsjura
HA(jur.) handler om virksomheders muligheder og forpligtelser. Du lærer, hvordan virksom…
HA(psyk.) - erhvervsøkonomi og psykologi
På HA(psyk.) lærer du både at forstå, hvordan en virksomhed fungerer og om en af virksomhedens vigtig…
Graduate Programmes
At the graduate level, we participate in a range of programmes that go beyond the fundamentals to offer students deeper insights and expertise in economics:
MSc in Economics and Finance - Advanced Economics and Finance
The AdEF programme gives you advanced knowledge of cutting-edge research and models in economics and finance. You…
MSc in Economics and Finance - Applied Economics and Finance
MSc AEF gives you the tools to understand how businesses are affected by economic conditions, how to analyse fin…
Cand.merc.(mat.) – erhvervsøkonomi og matematik
Cand.merc.(mat.) uddannelsen lærer dig at forstå og løse komplekse økonomiske og kvantitati…
MSc in International Business and Politics
In the MSc IBP programme, you will explore how companies and governments influence each other. You will build sol…
MSc in Business Administration and Information Systems
In the MSc IT Programme you will understand the dynamic relationship between IT management, organ…
MSc in Economics and Business Administration in General Management and Analytics
The MSc EBA GMA programme combines business economics, strategic management, and data-driven analytics…
Executive programmes, HD and Summer University
In addition to our bachelor’s and graduate teaching, our department also contributes to a variety of courses offered through Executive Programmes, HD studies, and the Summer University, providing learners at all stages with opportunities to enhance their knowledge of economics
Summer University
Join CBS Summer University, one of Europe’s largest and oldest summer programmes, and experience enga…
Being a PhD student
Our PhD students thrive in a vibrant, research-driven environment with strong training, close supervision, and excellent placements. We offer study in all major areas of economics and support a dynamic, international community of over 15 PhD candidates.
Our PhD programmes
Our department offers a strong international research environment, close supervision by leading scholars, and excellent career prospects. We have an active and supportive PhD community consisting of students working in fields such as applied microeconomics, behavioral economics, and economic theory
PhD students benefit from structured coursework, vibrant research seminars, and opportunities for international exchange. With a collaborative culture and a proven track record of successful placements, our department is an excellent choice for aspiring researchers.
Impact and career paths for our PhD students
Career paths (Panel content)
Our PhD graduates often follow academic career paths, with many securing assistant professorships at universities in Denmark and abroad. Recent placements include Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, University of the Faroe Islands, and other international institutions.
Others begin with postdoctoral positions at leading research environments such as CEBI, University of Copenhagen; Stockholm School of Economics; NOVA Lisbon; and IRB Barcelona. Some also contribute to policy-oriented research at institutions like Bruegel. These outcomes reflect our department’s strong academic profile and global recognition.
Placements of our recent PhD candidates (Panel content)
The list shows the first academic placement of our students after finishing the PhD program at the Department of Economics and includes graduates from the year 2020 and onwards.
Name |
Year |
Institution |
Position |
| Raphaël Huleux | 2024 | CEBI, University of Copenhagen | Postdoctoral Researcher |
| Kseniia Kurishchenko | 2024 | Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Barcelona | Postdoctoral Researcher |
| Julian Fernandez-Mejia | 2024 | Pontificia Universidad Javeriana | Assistant Professor |
| Tim Maurer | 2023 | NHH Norwegian School of Economics | Postdoctoral Researcher |
| Frederik Bjørn Christensen | 2023 | Stockholm School of Economics | Postdoctoral Researcher |
| Trondur Møller Sandoy | 2023 | University of Faroe Islands | Assistant Professor |
| David Pinkus | 2023 | Bruegel | Affiliate Fellow |
| Anne Sophie Lassen | 2022 | CBS | Postdoctoral Researcher |
| Chenyan Lyu | 2022 | Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh Business School | Postdoctoral Researcher |
| Stefano Tripodi | 2022 | NOVA Lisbon | Postdoctoral Researcher |
| Myriam Marending | 2022 | NOVA Lisbon | Postdoctoral Researcher |
| Laila Kærgaard Starr | 2022 | University of Copenhagen | Academic Employee |
| Mathias Fjællegaard Jensen | 2021 | Oxford University | Postdoctoral Researcher |
Other placements:
| Sigurdur Pall Olafsson | 2024 | Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs of Iceland | Director General, Department of Economic Affairs |
| Oguzhan Cepni | 2023 | Central Bank of the United Arabic Emirates | Senior Economist |
| Mette Franck | 2023 | 3Shape | Data Analyst |
| Jeanette Walldorf | 2023 | Danish Ministry of Children and Education | Special Advisor |
| Marcela Galvis Restrepo | 2022 | DEAS Group (Real Estate Asset Management & Property Management) | Data Scientist |
| Anita Eskesen | 2021 | Danish Utility Regulator | Senior Advisor |
| Friedrich Bergmann | 2020 | Vivid Economics in London | Consultant |
| Thorsteinn Sigurdur Sveinsson | 2020 | Central Bank of Iceland | Economist |
| Filipe Bonito Vieira | 2020 | KPMG | Senior Consultant |
PhD programmes within economics
What We Offer
- International-level research training
- Courses in micro, macro & econometrics
- Active participation in department life
- Strong academic supervision
- Frequent seminar & workshop exposure
- Proven track record of top-tier placements
Support & Culture
- PhD students in a dynamic, inclusive community
- Mentoring, peer support, and annual retreats
- Encouragement to publish and present
- Access to the Danish Graduate Program in Economics (DGPE)
- Open, collaborative, and ambitious research environment