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. 13/26 - January 2026
The Virtuous Cycle Between Skills and Technology
Sascha O. Becker, Christian Dustmann, Hyejin Ku
No. 12/26 - January 2026
The Long Run Economic Effects of Medical Innovation and the Role of Opportunities
Sonia Bhalotra, Damian Clarke, Atheendar Venkataramani
No. 11/26 - January 2026
Pension Wealth and the Timing of Retirement
Torben M. Andersen, Anne Katrine Borgbjerg, Jonas Maibom
No. 10/26 - January 2026
Research Insights
Concise, research-based articles for scholars,
policymakers, and anyone curious about the world.

No. 1/26 - January 2026
From Steam Power to Artificial Intelligence: What the Past Can Teach Us About the Future of Work
Regional inequalities remain a central issue in public and policy debates. Where do such disparities originate? And what policies can reduce them? A new study traces these inequalities back to the introduction of a transformative technology: the steam engine.
Learn more
No. 5/25 - December 2025
Immigration, Jobs and Wages: Separating Regional and Worker Effects
How does immigration affect jobs and wages? Public debates often conflate regional labour market outcomes with the experiences of individual workers. The effects of immigration on โplacesโ and โpeopleโ may differ considerably.
Learn more
No. 6/25 - December 2025
Migration, Beschรคftigung und Lรถhne: Regionale und individuelle Effekte
Wie wirkt sich Migration auf Arbeitsplรคtze und Lรถhne aus? In รถffentlichen Debatten werden Effekte auf regionale Arbeitsmรคrkte hรคufig mit den individuellen Erfahrungen von Arbeitnehmern vermischt. Die Studie macht deutlich, dass die Effekte der Immigration auf Regionen und auf beschรคftigte Arbeitnehmer sehr unterschiedlich sein kรถnnen.
Learn moreNews
RFBerlin research and researchers are regularly featured in the press.

15 Jan 2026
The steam engine still drives the German economy – Lessons for the introduction of artificial intelligence
View article
27 Dec 2025 โข DIE ZEIT
Claudia Goldin on Why Pay Transparency Alone Is Not Enough
View article
16 Dec 2025
Do Immigrants Take Nativesโ Jobs? New Study Shows the Answer Depends on How You Measure It
View article
16 Dec 2025
Immigration, Jobs and Wages: Separating Regional and Worker Effects
View articleTweets by @RF_Berlin
(1/5)๐ง RFBerlin Research Insights: New research by Becker, Dustmann & Ku โ “The Virtuous Cycle Between Skills and Technology” โ reveals how the steam engine, the AI of the 19th century, created regional economic gaps that persist 150 years later.
Upcoming events
RFBerlin hosts a wide array of events aimed at fostering academic research and collaboration.
RFBerlin Masterclass
12 Mar โ 13 Mar 2026
“Tasks At Work: Comparative Advantage, Technology and Labor Demand” by Fredric Kong
RFBerlin Event
26 Mar โ 27 Mar 2026
RFBerlin Migration Forum
Migration: Drivers, Consequences, and Governance
Conference
16 Apr โ 17 Apr 2026
Health and Economic Well-Being: Evidence, Policy, and Frontiers
Handbook of Labor Economics โ 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.


