PhD Workshop 2024 - Event report - IAB - Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung

Perspectives on (Un-)Employment

The 15^h International Ph.D. Workshop “Perspectives on (Un-)Employment” took place from January 18^th to 19^th 2024 at the Institute for Employment Research (IAB). The interdisciplinary workshop aimed to provide an opportunity for graduate students in labor economics, and survey statistics to present their research and receive valuable feedback from scholars working at the frontiers of their disciplines.

Professor Bernd Fitzenberger standing at a desk talking to the audience. — Professor Bernd Fitzenberger giving the welcome speech at the PhD Workshop 2024.

The 2022 cohort of the joint doctoral programme of the IAB and the School of Business, Economics, and Society of the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (GradAB) organized this year’s version of the traditional Ph.D. Workshop. Among the highlights of the event were keynote speeches held by Professor Gerard van den Berg (University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen and IFAU Uppsala), and Associate Professor Nadine Ketel (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, IZA and CEPR). During the two days of the workshop, 23 doctoral students from universities and research institutes in Germany, Italy, England, France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Spain presented their ongoing work.

Professor Bernd Fitzenberger officially opened the workshop on the first day with a welcoming speech, followed by the first session in which doctoral students presented their work on “Unemployment”.

Professor Gerard van den Berg giving his presentation in front of the audience. — Professor Gerard van den Berg holding his keynote lecture.

After the lunch break Professor Gerard van den Berg held the first keynote lecture on “Aerial Bombardments Early in Life and the Ensuing Shape of the Age-Earnings Profile over the Full Working Life”. The second session concerned topics on “Survey Methodology Using Labor Market Data” followed by a short introduction to IAB data by Ann-Christin Bächmann from the Research Data Centre (FDZ) and a data poster session. Finally, the first workshop day was concluded with the session “Wages”. The participating doctoral students, keynotes, and senior researchers continued to exchange ideas while enjoying good Franconian food in a relaxed atmosphere at the restaurant „Estragon “.

Associate Professor Nadine Ketel standing in conference room talking to the audience. — Associate Professor Nadine Ketel holding her keynote speech with the topic “Field of Study: Choices and Consequences”.

On the second workshop day, the doctoral students presented their research in four sessions dealing with questions about the topics " AI & Technological Change", " Macroeconomic Perspectives", and " Inequalities in the Labor Market" and “Migrants and Refugees”. After the first session Associate Professor Nadine Ketel held her keynote speech with the topic “Field of Study: Choices and Consequences”. Throughout the whole workshop there was a lot of interchange and networking opportunities in the lunch and coffee breaks. Also, the keynotes and the sessions chairs gave rich feedback to the presentations of the doctoral students throughout the entire workshop.

Li Kathrin Kaja Rupieper standing in conference room talking to the audience. — Li Kathrin Kaja Rupieper from the Leibniz University Hanover held a presentation on whether Voluntary Adult Education can reduce Unemployment.

The 15^th Ph.D. workshop offered new insights into current labor market research across research institutions and countries as well as the opportunity for lively discussions and interdisciplinary exchange. The organizing team would like to thank the keynote speakers, all presenters, the session chairs, and all other participants for their contributions.