Advertise on podcast: RFBerlin Podcast Series

In this episode of Migration Talks, researchers Sandra Sequeira (London School of Economics) and Dominik Hangartner (ETH Zurich) take us into two very different contexts  with surprising parallels. From post-conflict displacement in Mozambique to internal migration policies in post-war Finland, the conversation explores what drives people to move, and what happens when that movement is shaped less by choice than by circumstance. How does displacement affect long-term human capital? What incentives and policies help or hinder new beginnings? And how do people reconstruct lives, communities, and futures when they’re uprooted? This episode offers a comparative perspective on forced migration, resettlement, and the enduring resilience of people navigating constrained choices. Resources mentioned in the episode: 📄 Forced Displacement and Human Capital: Evidence from Separated Siblings, by Giorgio Chiovelli, Stelios Michalopoulos, Elias Papaioannou, and Sandra Sequeira (NBER Working Paper) 📄 The Intergenerational Effects of Forced Migration on Human Capital and Personality Traits, by Dominik Hangartner et al. Stay connected: 🌐 Online: rfberlin.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/rockwool-foundation-berlin 🐦 X/Twitter: @RF_Berlin 🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@RFBerlin

In this episode of Migration Talks, Professor Leah Boustan (Princeton University) explores what shapes upward mobility for immigrants and who actually gets to rise. Using research, historical records, big data and today’s technology, Boustan takes us through the story of how immigrants and their children find their path. What do we get wrong when we idealize past success stories? How do today’s children of immigrants compare to previous generations? And what role do education, neighborhoods and policy play in shaping long-term outcomes? Resources mentioned: Book: Streets of Gold: America’s Untold Story of Immigrant Success (Leah Boustan & Ran Abramitzky) Research: Computational analysis of 140 years of US political speeches reveals more positive but increasingly polarized framing of immigration by Boustan et al. Stay connected: 🌐 Online: rfberlin.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/rockwool-foundation-berlin 🐦 X/Twitter: @RF_Berlin 🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@RFBerlin

In this episode, Panu Poutvaara (ifo Center for Migration and Development Economics) and Damla Buyuktaskin (UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency) discuss what happens after displacement: who returns, who stays, and why? Focusing on Ukrainian refugees and broader global contexts, they discuss what influences return intentions, how host countries support (or hinder) integration, and the challenges of creating long-term solutions for displaced populations. From access to work and education to regional legal frameworks, this conversation lists difficult choices faced by millions. Resources mentioned in the episode: 📄 Study: The Effect of Conflict on Ukrainian Refugees’ Return Intentions and Integration Outcomes (Poutvaara et al.) 🌐 UNHCR Programs: https://www.unhcr.org Stay connected: 🌐 Online: rfberlin.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/rockwool-foundation-berlin 🐦 X/Twitter: @RF_Berlin 🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@RFBerlin

In this episode, Christian Dustmann (UCL, RFBerlin) and Tommaso Frattini (University of Milan, RFBerlin) discuss the politics of EU border control. As headlines increasingly focus on “securing borders,” they ask: Are these efforts really addressing the underlying challenges, or are they shaped more by public perception and political pressure? From shifting migration routes to policy trade-offs between security and economic needs, this conversation offers timely insights into one of Europe’s most debated topics. Resources mentioned in the episode: 📘 Global Migration Information Dashboard 📄 "Border Policies and Unauthorized Flows" by Francesca Fasani & Tommaso Frattini Stay connected: 🌐 Online: rfberlin.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/rockwool-foundation-berlin 🐦 X/Twitter: @RF_Berlin 🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@RFBerlin

In this podcast episode dedicated to the new edition of the Handbook of Labor Economics, Professor Suresh Naidu from Columbia University discusses the recent resurgence of union power, for example, in the context of the successful United Auto Workers (UAW) strike in 2023.  The conversation highlights several key points with policy implications: Do unions affect inequality? How effective is union membership? Do they protect the rights and the benefits of union members, or do they have spillover effects in the rest of the labour market?  Professor Naidu takes a historical perspective and discusses the shift in the balance of power between employers and workers over the 20th century, up to the post-COVID era, characterized by a tight labour market and high corporate profits. He argues that the spillover effects of union-negotiated contracts can raise wages even for non-union workers, suggesting that a stronger union presence could be a tool for addressing income inequality on a broader scale. Stay connected: 🌐 Online: rfberlin.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/rockwool-foundation-berlin 🐦 X/Twitter: @RF_Berlin 🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@RFBerlin

In this podcast episode dedicated to the new edition of the Handbook of Labor Economics, Professor Stephen Machin from the London School of Economics discusses the recent advances in the Economics of Crime.  What are the economic consequences of crime on society? What is the impact of crime on victims? Professor Machin illustrates how better administrative data has helped quantify the labour market and psychological effects of crime and has shown how such effects are long-lasting. Improved estimates of the costs of crime can inform more effective policy decisions, potentially guiding the prioritization of resource allocation for crime reduction. Stay connected: 🌐 Online: rfberlin.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/rockwool-foundation-berlin 🐦 X/Twitter: @RF_Berlin 🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@RFBerlin

In this podcast episode dedicated to the new edition of the Handbook of Labor Economics, Professor Katherine Shaw from Stanford Graduate School of Business discusses the recent advances in Personnel Economics and, in particular, the role of managers.  What do managers do, how do they do it, and what is their impact on workers’ productivity? She explains that good managers can significantly boost team productivity, equivalent to adding an extra team member. Her research highlights that effective management is crucial for employee retention and satisfaction, especially during economic downturns.  Stay connected: 🌐 Online: rfberlin.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/rockwool-foundation-berlin 🐦 X/Twitter: @RF_Berlin 🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@RFBerlin

In this podcast episode dedicated to the new edition of the Handbook of Labor Economics, professors Barbara Petrongolo and Jessica Pan discuss the progress and ongoing challenges in achieving gender equality in the labor market. Which policies have been more effective in narrowing the gender gap over the last 50 years? They highlight the significant progress made in reducing the wage gap and increasing female participation. However, they point out persistent issues like the motherhood penalty, occupational segregation and barriers in the organization of work. Effective policies have included childcare support, although longer parental leaves have shown limited success. Both emphasize the role of Claudia Goldin's pioneering work to advance our understanding of the historical and economic factors driving gender convergence and the persistent inequalities that remain.   Stay connected: 🌐 Online: rfberlin.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/rockwool-foundation-berlin 🐦 X/Twitter: @RF_Berlin 🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@RFBerlin

In this podcast episode dedicated to the new edition of the Handbook of Labor Economics, Tim Phillips speaks with Patrick Kline, Professor of Economics at UC Berkeley, about monopsony in the labor market. Unlike monopoly, where a single supplier dominates, monopsony occurs when a single buyer—in this case, an employer—has significant power to set wages.  Prof. Kline discusses recent research on the prevalence of monopsony and the role of policy and regulation in addressing monopsony power. He emphasizes the need for rigorous understanding and innovative policy solutions to tackle this issue effectively.   Stay connected: 🌐 Online: rfberlin.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/rockwool-foundation-berlin 🐦 X/Twitter: @RF_Berlin 🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@RFBerlin

In this podcast episode dedicated to the new edition of the Handbook of Labor Economics, Gordon Hanson (Peter Wertheim Professor in Urban Policy at Harvard Kennedy School) and David Dorn (UBS Foundation Professor of Globalization and Labor Markets at the University of Zurich) discuss the current state of globalization and its impact on the labor market.  The speakers debate the effectiveness of tariffs and protectionism, suggesting that they often fail to create jobs and can lead to retaliatory measures, exacerbating job losses. They conclude with a call for policymakers to consider the evidence against protectionist policies and to focus on strategies that genuinely support workers and promote innovation in the face of economic changes. Stay connected: 🌐 Online: rfberlin.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/rockwool-foundation-berlin 🐦 X/Twitter: @RF_Berlin 🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@RFBerlin

In this episode of our podcast series dedicated to the new editions of the Handbook of Labor Economics, Arindrajit Dube, Provost Professor of Economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, tackles the contentious issue of raising the minimum wage.  While some advocate the minimum wage as an effective tool to combat poverty, others have argued that it could destroy jobs and increase prices. Who’s right? Prof. Dube addresses this question my summarizing what economists have learned about the impacts of minimum wages in the labor market over the last 25 years. He explains how higher minimum wages do not necessarily lead to job losses, but they could instead help firms reduce turnover and retain workers, as well as increase family incomes and reduce reliance on social assistance.   Arindrajit Dube is the Provost Professor of Economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), and a Research Fellow at the Institue of Labor Economics (IZA). Professor Dube is considered a world-leading expert on the economic effects of minimum wage policies. His current areas of research include wage inequality, the importance of labor market competition, the effects of minimum wages on employment and inequality, the role of fairness concerns at the workplace and the role of firm wage policies in explaining the growth in inequality. Stay connected: 🌐 Online: rfberlin.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/rockwool-foundation-berlin 🐦 X/Twitter: @RF_Berlin 🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@RFBerlin

How will the rise of AI change our jobs? Should workers have a say in how and when AI is deployed?  In this episode of our podcast series, dedicated to the new editions of the Handbook of Labor Economics, Professor Daron Acemoglu clarifies the nuances of these ongoing trends. Daron Acemoglu, a renowned economist and Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is a leading researcher in macroeconomics, political economy, and labor economics. Based on his extensive work on technical change, AI and innovation, his insights are both influential and timely. In this episode, Professor Acemoglu emphasizes that technological progress does not automatically lead to better jobs or higher wages. There is no disagreement that the current generation of AI technologies is pretty impressive, as they are doing things that many people thought impossible.  He argues that there is a feasible and socially desirable pro-human, pro-worker direction of AI. At the same time, he warns us about the current direction of technological development which may hinder human agency.  Stay connected: 🌐 Online: rfberlin.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/rockwool-foundation-berlin 🐦 X/Twitter: @RF_Berlin 🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@RFBerlin

 Labor earnings for college-educated workers are about 65-70% higher than for workers without college education. Why do college graduates earn more? How will the emergence of AI shape the college wage premium and college education in the years to come?  David J. Deming, Isabelle and Scott Black Professor of Political Economy at Harvard University, opens our podcast series dedicated to the new edition of the Handbook of Labor Economics with his work on education, skills, inequality, and the future of work. In this episode, he discusses the college wage premium and the impact of AI on college education. Prof. Deming sheds light on how college education enhances the productivity and value of individuals in the labor market and shares insights into the future of work and education. He argues that while AI may change the nature of work, it will not diminish the importance of education, but rather shift the focus towards higher-order skills and competencies.  Stay connected: 🌐 Online: rfberlin.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/rockwool-foundation-berlin 🐦 X/Twitter: @RF_Berlin 🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@RFBerlin

Project leader Andrea Weber, a professor of economics at the Central European University in Vienna, brings the first season of RFBerlin Talks to a close with her work on intra-European Union migration, specifically between Austria and Germany. Andrea highlights the lack of comprehensive data on these movements, emphasizing the importance of understanding their effects and policy implications. Her research aims to explore how labor mobility aligns with the European Union's principles while addressing the challenges stemmed from institutional differences across member countries.  Stay connected: 🌐 Online: rfberlin.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/rockwool-foundation-berlin 🐦 X/Twitter: @RF_Berlin 🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@RFBerlin

Project leader Jan Nimczik, an assistant professor of economics at the European School of Management Technology (ESMT) in Berlin, discusses his research on labor markets and migration. How did the German reunification, a major shock to the East German labor market, influence migration decisions? How personal connections act as a driver of mobility, especially in times of rapid changes? Join us in this episode to learn more about network effects and migration responses. Stay connected: 🌐 Online: rfberlin.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/rockwool-foundation-berlin 🐦 X/Twitter: @RF_Berlin 🎥 YouTube: youtube.com/@RFBerlin