Jörn-Steffen Pischke

Jörn-Steffen Pischke. He is a prominent German economist renowned for his influential work in applied econometrics and labor economics. A professor at the London School of Economics, Pischke is best known for his extensive collaboration with Joshua Angrist on developing and teaching modern methods of causal inference. His research has made significant contributions to understanding the economics of education, wage inequality, and the labor market.

Early life and education

Born in West Germany in 1965, Pischke completed his undergraduate studies in economics at the University of Mannheim. He then pursued graduate studies in the United States, earning a Ph.D. in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1991. His doctoral dissertation was supervised by the renowned econometrician Joshua Angrist, a relationship that would define much of his subsequent career. This period at MIT placed him at the center of a revolution in empirical economics, alongside other leading figures like David Autor and Daron Acemoglu.

Academic career

After completing his doctorate, Pischke began his academic career as an assistant professor at Harvard University. He subsequently returned to Europe, holding a professorship at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy. In 2006, he joined the faculty of the London School of Economics, where he has remained a central figure in the Department of Economics. At the LSE, he has served in various leadership roles and has been instrumental in shaping its research and teaching in applied microeconomics. He has also held visiting positions at prestigious institutions including the National Bureau of Economic Research and the Centre for Economic Policy Research.

Research and contributions

Pischke's research is characterized by the rigorous application of quasi-experimental methods to answer central questions in labor economics. A major strand of his work, often co-authored with Joshua Angrist, examines the economic returns to education. Their influential studies have analyzed data from sources like the German Socio-Economic Panel to challenge conventional wisdom. Another significant contribution is his work on the causes of rising wage inequality, particularly the role of technological change and institutional factors in Europe compared to the United States. He is also widely known as the co-author, with Angrist, of the seminal textbook Mostly Harmless Econometrics, which has become a standard reference for applied researchers in economics and other social sciences.

Awards and honors

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to economic research, Pischke was awarded the prestigious Yrjö Jahnsson Award in 2015, jointly with Joshua Angrist. This award is given biannually to a young economist who has made a significant contribution to the field in Europe. He is also a fellow of the Econometric Society, an honor reflecting his impact on the discipline of econometrics. His research has been supported by grants from major institutions like the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and the European Research Council.

Selected publications

* Angrist, J.D., and Pischke, J.-S. (2009). Mostly Harmless Econometrics: An Empiricist's Companion. Princeton University Press. * Pischke, J.-S. (2007). "The Impact of Length of the School Year on Student Performance and Earnings: Evidence from the German Short School Years." Journal of Human Resources. * Angrist, J.D., and Pischke, J.-S. (2014). Mastering 'Metrics: The Path from Cause to Effect. Princeton University Press. * Pischke, J.-S., and von Wachter, T. (2008). "Zero Returns to Compulsory Schooling in Germany: Evidence and Interpretation." The Review of Economics and Statistics.

Category:German economists Category:Labor economists Category:London School of Economics faculty Category:1965 births Category:Living people