Ružica Šimić Banović is a Full Professor and Head of the Department of Economics at the Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb, where she also chairs the Career Development Committee. A CERGE-EI Foundation Fellow and member of CEPOR‘s research team, she holds advanced degrees from Harvard Kennedy School, the University of Ljubljana, and King’s College London. Continue reading Ružica Šimić Banović: Bridging Academia and Policy
Meet Our Alumni: Linking Information, Behavior, and the Environment
What comes after a PhD? Our alumnus, Rastislav Rehák, reflects on his postdoctoral journey at the Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods and the University of Cologne, where he explores new directions in behavioral and environmental economics, as well as the passion that keeps him balanced outside of academia. Continue reading Meet Our Alumni: Linking Information, Behavior, and the Environment
Matching Matters: The Hidden Economics of Who Works Where with Luca Mazzone
In our latest Talking Economics episode, we spoke with Luca Mazzone, Assistant Professor at CERGE-EI and Economist at the IMF, about the hidden dynamics behind wage inequality, employment policy, and how households shape labor market outcomes. His research looks into how people and firms find each other—and why this matching process matters for productivity, inequality, and growth. Continue reading Matching Matters: The Hidden Economics of Who Works Where with Luca Mazzone
Meet Our Students: Sook Yan Siew
Sook Yan Siew shares her experiences as a PhD in Economics student at CERGE-EI and her role as an international student ambassador at Charles University. Looking ahead, she is considering a future in academia while also running her own NGO. She believes this path will allow her to balance her passion for long-term theoretical research with short-term practical work. Continue reading Meet Our Students: Sook Yan Siew
Meet Our Students: Raul Enrique Zavala Sanchez
In this short interview, Raul Enrique Zavala Sanchez shares his experience as a PhD in Economics student at CERGE-EI. Originally from South America, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from a university in Vilnius, Lithuania, and later earned a Master’s degree in Finance. His interest in macroeconomics grew from a desire to understand the economic challenges of his home region. After discovering CERGE-EI, he moved to Prague to pursue his goal of conducting economic research. Looking ahead, he is considering a future in academia or a research-oriented role at an international organization such as the IMF or the World Bank. Continue reading Meet Our Students: Raul Enrique Zavala Sanchez
Meet Our Students: Sofiana Sinani’s paper won the Best Poster Prize at the Royal Economic Society Conference
What if parental leave policies shape more than just short-term labor outcomes? While much of the existing research focuses on how such policies impact parents’ careers, Sofiana Sinani, winner of the Best Poster Prize at the Royal Economic Society Conference 2025, took a different angle: How do extended periods of maternal care influence children’s future aspirations — especially their choice of university studies and careers? Her project examines a 1995 policy change in the Czech Republic, where mothers were offered the option to extend their leave beyond the standard job-protection period. The results are following: boys exposed to longer maternal care were significantly less likely to apply to stereotypically “female” fields, such as education or healthcare. The research suggests that parental leave doesn’t just affect today’s workforce — it can shape the beliefs and ambitions of the next generation. In this interview, we explore the project that earned Sofiana Sinani the Best Poster Prize at the Royal Economic Society Conference 2025.
Meet Our Alumni: Bridging Economics, Research, and Public Service
Karin Jõeveer, a CERGE-EI PhD alumna, is an Associate Professor and Director of the Department of Economics and Finance at Tallinn University of Technology. She also plays a central role in shaping Estonia’s economic strategy as a member of the Supervisory Board of the Estonian Central Bank and the Estonian Fiscal Council. In this interview, Karin reflects on the academic foundations that launched her career, the economic challenges Estonia faces today, and the decisions that will shape the future of the Eurozone. Continue reading Meet Our Alumni: Bridging Economics, Research, and Public Service
Rebeka Hoblik – Student Experience of the Master in Economic Research Program at CERGE-EI
In this short interview, Rebeka Hoblik shares her experience as a student in the Master in Economic Research program at CERGE-EI. She is currently in her second year and holds both American and Czech citizenship. After graduating from high school in the United States, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Anglo-American University in Prague. In the future, she plans to pursue research roles in economics. Continue reading Rebeka Hoblik – Student Experience of the Master in Economic Research Program at CERGE-EI
Talking Economics: Inside the Household Wallet
What determines the financial decisions we make throughout our lives—like choosing a mortgage, saving for retirement, or deciding whether to invest? In the latest episode of Talking Economics, we explore these questions with Marta Cota, a CERGE-EI PhD alumna and Assistant Professor of Finance at Nova School of Business and Economics in Lisbon. Continue reading Talking Economics: Inside the Household Wallet
Meet Our Alumni: Building Inclusive Economics
In this alumni interview, we speak with Emiliya Lazarova, Head of School and Professor of Economics at University of East Anglia. She reflects on how her training laid the foundations for her academic career. She also shares her views on making the field more inclusive and offers advice for young economists navigating academia today. Continue reading Meet Our Alumni: Building Inclusive Economics