Behavioral Economics in Action – Experiment at the Decision Lab (in German)
How do people make decisions? Experience behavioral economics research live and take part in an experiment at the Decision Lab of the Max Planck Institute for Behavioral Economics.
May 7, 2026, 17:00–18:00
Bonn, Max Planck Institute for Behavioral Eonomics
Limited places (max. 32) – registration required
Please click for more information.
Lack of data limits crisis policy: Ingo Isphording at the Hessischer Landtag
Ingo Isphording provided expert testimony in front of the main committee of the Hessischer Landtag (state parliament of Hesse) on measures to strengthen Germany’s crisis resilience. He identified deficiencies in data infrastructure as a core structural problem of German crisis policy. International comparisons indicate that improved data access can be compatible with high data protection standards
Germany legalizes kidney exchange – Axel Ockenfels contributes to landmark reform
The German Bundestag has adopted a major reform of the Transplantation Act. The new law allows crossover living kidney donations between incompatible donor–recipient pairs, expanding access to life-saving transplants. Axel Ockenfels, Director at the institute, helped shaping the reform. He welcomes the breakthrough while also pointing to further potential to improve matching efficiency and patient outcomes.
New book by Matthias Sutter and Martin G. Kocher: Strong together. Cooperation and trust (in German)
The renowned duo of authors, consisting of Martin G. Kocher, Governor of the Austrian National Bank, and Matthias Sutter, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Behavioral Economics, speak from practical experience, since they worked together for many years at the Institute of Public Finance at the University of Innsbruck. In this book, they highlight the advantages of cooperation and trust for a successful future.
Quo vadis, BAföG (German student aid)?
BAfög figures are at their lowest in 25 years. Sebastian Riedmiller’s study shows what is deterring students. BAfög hurdle: Up to 70 percent of students eligible for BAfög do not apply. One reason: they do not know that they are entitled to it. Read more (in German).
Upcoming Research Seminars
Lecture at WiSo Faculty, University of Cologne
19 May 2026, 18 p.m.
Prof. Dr. Axel Ockenfels:
Die Kunst, die Welt besser zu machen: Organspenden, Pandemien, Klima – und die ökonomische Architektur der Kooperation
Place: Hörsaal I, WiSo-Fakultät, Universitätsstraße 24, 50931 Köln
Furter information: 125 Jahre Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften in Köln - Das Jubiläumsprogramm 2026
Recent Articles
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Discussion Papers
Legitimacy in the age of artificial intelligencePiercing the veil of the panel: The Power of the justice referee in the German Constitutional Court
The suing paradox: Inferring applicants‘ motives from the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights on freedom of assembly
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