With over 270 degree programs, FAU is among the 15 largest and leading universities for research in Germany. Over 6,000 employees and more than 39,000 students promote a culture of innovation, diversity and passion.
Get to know our newly-appointed professors who are driving forward research with their fresh ideas and creative approaches. Find out more about the people behind our research projects and their career paths, visions, and motivation for a successful academic future.
Prof. Dr. Emanuel Hansen – Professorship for Economic Theory
He has always wanted to take on an acting role on stage or on screen – Prof. Dr. Emanuel Hansen introduces himself.
What is your main area of research?
I focus on the impact of economic, financial and family policy on the behavior of individual people and on economic inequality. By using a combination of empirical and theoretical methods, I investigate how the tax and transfer system should be designed in order to support, for instance, people with lower educational attainment without destroying all incentives for taking up employment.
Why did you choose these topics?
For me as a researcher, these questions are of high economic, social and political relevance. If people can be supported and enabled to participate meaningfully in the labor market irrespective of their social background, this benefits everyone in the long run. And this will become even more important in future. For me as a researcher, these questions are also fascinating in light of the concepts behind them, as in these political areas there is a huge scope for shaping policies and significant international differences.
Where were you before coming to FAU?
From 2022, I was at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, where I worked at the Center for Economic Research as a research and program director.
Where did you study and what subjects?
I studied a double degree at Johannes-Gutenberg-Universität in Mainz: Economics, taught by Karlhans Sauernheimer and Martin Kolmar, among others, and political science with Jürgen Falter and Edeltraud Roller.
Which events and activities would you like to take part in in Erlangen and the surroundings?
First and foremost the teaching and research-focused events offered at FAU such as conferences, workshops and research seminars in economics and in neighboring subjects; that apart, also the relevant activities at the Institute for Employment Research and at the Ludwig Erhard ifo Center for Social Market Economy and Institutional Economics in Fürth. I am also looking forward to all the other cultural events on offer.
What is your most useful tool as a professor?
A pad of paper, a pen, some time and the willingness to ask questions.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Ever since I was a child I have always enjoyed getting to grips with tricky questions and have been interested in politics, society and equal opportunities. First of all, I wanted to become either a journalist or a diplomat. When I started studying at university, I originally wanted to gain a good grounding in the subject. Very soon, however, I realized that I wanted to explore my subject in much greater depth and enjoyed research and academic discourse.
Do you have a role model? If so, did they influence your academic or professional career?
I have been influenced by a number of my academic teachers and colleagues, but also by athletes, journalists and politicians. I have always been particularly impressed by people whose work seemed to be marked by ambition, care, persistence and honesty and who were always willing, when necessary, to voice open and respectful disagreement. The first name that jumps to mind is the former newsreader Ulrich Wickert.
Have you got any hidden talents?
I can whistle pretty well and am surprisingly good at ice football.
Is there something you’ve always wanted to do?
There are lots of things that I never seem to find time for. At the very top of the list: Taking a drama course and taking on a role in a play.