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We conduct independent research into significant challenges to the economy, society and the welfare state in a global world.

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Research

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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. 150/25 - December 2025

Expected Asylum Seekers and Far-Right Voting: Effects of a Dispersal Act

Joop Adema

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No. 149/25 - December 2025

How Early Career Choices Adjust to Economic Crises

Julien Grenet, Hans Grönqvist, Edvin Hertegård, Martin Nybom, Jan Stuhler

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No. 148/25 - December 2025

Incentive Effects of Disability Benefits

Annica Gehlen, Sebastian Becker, Johannes Geyer, Peter Haan

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No. 147/25 - December 2025

A More Conservative Country? Asylum Seekers and Voting in the UK

Francesco Fasani, Simone Ferro, Elisabetta Pasini, Alessio Romarri

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Research Insights

Concise, research-based articles for scholars,
policymakers, and anyone curious about the world.

All Research Insights

No. 4/25 - November 2025

When Offshore Money Comes Home: The Hidden Effects of Anti-Laundering Crackdowns

Using data that connect U.S. businesses to foreign financial networks, the researchers reveal how tougher anti–laundering measures abroad reshaped the flow of illicit funds at home.

Opportunity Trade

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No. 3/25 - October 2025

The Long-Term Effects of Air Pollution on Health and Labor Market Outcomes: Evidence from Socialist East Germany

New evidence shows that sustained exposure to dirty air can harm health for decades and can lower lifetime earnings.

Human Capital Opportunity Technology

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No. 2/25 - October 2025

Should we keep expanding the number of university graduates? Lessons from the UK in 1960-2004

When almost everyone can go to university, what becomes of inequality and opportunity once policy meets reality?

Equity Human Capital Opportunity

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News

RFBerlin research and researchers are regularly featured in the press.

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Press release

17 Nov 2025

Panama Papers: Closing money laundering channels risks fuelling activity in others

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Research Insights

17 Nov 2025

When Offshore Money Comes Home: The Hidden Effects of Anti-Laundering Crackdowns

Read now

Press

14 Nov 2025 • WirtschaftsWoche

If you don’t look ahead, you’ll stagnate – Claudia Goldin

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Press

10 Nov 2025 • Oiger

Historical traces of division: Sascha Becker on East-West differences in Germany

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Tweets by @RF_Berlin

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

19h

1/5 🆕 RFBerlin Discussion Paper!
@jakobBeu analyzes how the design of personal debt-restructuring programs affects labor market outcomes.
🔗 https://www.rfberlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/25146.pdf

Reply on Twitter 1998687590875099220 Retweet on Twitter 1998687590875099220 1 Like on Twitter 1998687590875099220 1

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

9 Dec

🆕 RFBerlin Discussion Paper!
Mika Akesaka & @HitoshiShigeoka show evidence from 22M students in Japan that heat harms learning far more for low-performing (and lower-SES) students, widening inequality.
🔗 https://www.rfberlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/25145.pdf

Reply on Twitter 1998417334067958100 Retweet on Twitter 1998417334067958100 2 Like on Twitter 1998417334067958100 3

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

9 Dec

🆕 RFBerlin Discussion Paper!
@sofoklis_goulas, @rmegal & @SartoriTommaso explore the unequal distribution of teachers’ attention and its consequences for student achievement.
🔗 https://www.rfberlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/25144.pdf

Reply on Twitter 1998416436142932120 Retweet on Twitter 1998416436142932120 2 Like on Twitter 1998416436142932120 1

ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin @rf_berlin ·

9 Dec

🆕 RFBerlin Discussion Paper!
@david_gstrein, Florian Neumeier, @APeichl & @P_Zamorski provide a comprehensive analysis of corporate tax incidence across capitalists, workers, and landlords.
🔗 https://www.rfberlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/25143.pdf

Reply on Twitter 1998415873250631887 Retweet on Twitter 1998415873250631887 1 Like on Twitter 1998415873250631887 3

Upcoming events

RFBerlin hosts a wide array of events aimed at fostering academic research and collaboration.

RFBerlin Masterclass

12 Mar – 13 Mar 2026

“Tasks At Work: Comparative Advantage, Technology and Labor Demand” by Fredric Kong

RFBerlin Event

26 Mar – 27 Mar 2026

RFBerlin Migration Forum

Migration: Drivers, Consequences, and Governance

Conference

16 Apr – 17 Apr 2026

Health and Economic Well-Being: Evidence, Policy, and Frontiers

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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.

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

Equity, Inclusion & Opportunity

Migration & Global Collaboration

Technology, Trade & Human Capital

Discussion papers

Research Insights

When Offshore Money Comes Home: The Hidden Effects of Anti-Laundering Crackdowns

The Long-Term Effects of Air Pollution on Health and Labor Market Outcomes: Evidence from Socialist East Germany

Should we keep expanding the number of university graduates? Lessons from the UK in 1960-2004

News

Panama Papers: Closing money laundering channels risks fuelling activity in others

When Offshore Money Comes Home: The Hidden Effects of Anti-Laundering Crackdowns

If you don’t look ahead, you’ll stagnate – Claudia Goldin

Historical traces of division: Sascha Becker on East-West differences in Germany

Upcoming events

RFBerlin Masterclass

“Tasks At Work: Comparative Advantage, Technology and Labor Demand” by Fredric Kong

RFBerlin Event

RFBerlin Migration Forum

Conference

Health and Economic Well-Being: Evidence, Policy, and Frontiers

Handbook of Labor Economics – Chapter Previews

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