Paris School of Economics

Paris School of Economics
Name	Paris School of Economics
Established	2006
Type	Public-private partnership, Grand établissement
Director	Jean-Olivier Hairault
City	Paris
Country	France
Affiliations	PSL University, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, CNRS
Website	www.parisschoolofeconomics.eu

Paris School of Economics. The Paris School of Economics is a leading French institution dedicated to advanced research and graduate education in economics. Founded through the consolidation of several prestigious pre-existing units, it operates as a federation under the auspices of the CNRS and is a founding member of PSL University. Its mission is to produce cutting-edge economic science and train the next generation of scholars and policy experts for global impact.

History and foundation

The institution was formally established in 2006, emerging from a long tradition of economic research in France. Its creation was driven by a consortium of founding members, including the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, the École Normale Supérieure, the École des Ponts ParisTech, and the Institut National de la Statistique et des Études Économiques. This initiative aimed to consolidate resources and compete internationally with other top economics departments, such as those at the London School of Economics and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The foundational vision was championed by notable economists like Roger Guesnerie, who served as its first president, seeking to strengthen the position of Paris as a global hub for economic thought.

Organization and governance

The school operates under a unique public-private partnership model, structured as a "Fondation de coopération scientifique". Its governance involves a board of directors comprising representatives from its founding institutions, industry partners, and international academics. The director, a position held by figures such as François Bourguignon and currently Jean-Olivier Hairault, oversees daily operations. Research is organized into specialized thematic groups and laboratories, notably the joint research unit with the CNRS, fostering interdisciplinary work across microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics. This federative structure allows it to draw faculty and resources from its prestigious member schools.

Academic programs and research

It offers a comprehensive range of graduate programs, including highly selective Master's degrees, a rigorous PhD program, and professional executive education. The curriculum is deeply integrated with the research activities of its numerous laboratories, covering fields from development economics and public policy to theoretical economics and finance. Major research initiatives are often conducted in partnership with entities like the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the European Central Bank. The school also hosts several endowed chairs and research centers, such as those focusing on globalization and sustainable development.

Notable faculty and alumni

The faculty includes a constellation of internationally renowned economists, such as Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee, Nobel laureates in Economic Sciences for their work on poverty alleviation, and Thomas Piketty, known for his work on wealth inequality. Other distinguished members have included Jean Tirole, another Nobel laureate, and Philippe Aghion. Its alumni network is influential across academia, public policy, and international institutions, with graduates holding positions at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the French Treasury, leading global universities, and major financial centers.

Partnerships and affiliations

The school maintains a dense network of strategic partnerships. It is a core constituent of PSL University and is also affiliated with the Institut Polytechnique de Paris, enhancing its interdisciplinary reach. It has formal exchange agreements and joint degree programs with institutions like the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, and Columbia University. Close collaborations exist with French public entities such as the Banque de France and the French Council of Economic Analysis. These alliances facilitate faculty exchanges, collaborative research projects, and provide students with unparalleled international opportunities.

Impact and rankings

It is consistently ranked among the top economics departments in Europe and the world by surveys such as the RePEc and Tilburg University rankings. The research output of its faculty, frequently published in top-tier journals like the American Economic Review and Econometrica, has significantly influenced global economic policy debates on issues from climate change to social mobility. Its success in securing competitive grants from the European Research Council underscores its research excellence. The school's graduates are highly sought after, reinforcing its reputation as a premier training ground for economic leadership.

Category:Universities and colleges in Paris Category:Graduate schools in France Category:Economics research institutes