ZEW President Wolfgang Franz Honoured with the Gustav Stolper Award

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Wolfgang Franz received the Gustav Stolper Award 2012. Bestowed by the Verein für Socialpolitik (VfS), the award honours economists who considerably influence public debates with their research results.

It is named after the Austrian economist Gustav Stolper (1888-1947), who developed a reputation as economist, journalist and political advisor. "We are very proud that the president of our institute received this award. It is a recognitionof his lifelong commitment to policy advice based on intensive research", says Thomas Kohl, ZEW Director of Business and Administration.

Wolfgang Franz received the award for making a wider knowledge about economic issues available not only to students in lecture halls, but also to the public. The award was presented on the occasion of the annual VfS congress in Göttingen. According to VfS, Franz was honoured because "his contributions have an impact on political decision- making as well as on debates in the media and the general public". In addition to his position as ZEW President and his activities in teaching and research, Wolfgang Franz has been a longstanding member of the German Council of Economic Experts, and as such he has reviewed and assessed the Federal Government’s economic policy for years. Since March 2009 he has been head of the Expert’s Council.

Franz’s research focuses on labour markets and macroeconomics. Franz published numerous books and scientific papers in these areas, and particularly his textbook "Arbeitsmarktökonomik" (labour market economics) has become a standard work for labour market research in Germany.

For further information please contact

Thomas Kohl, Phone +49 621/1235-111, E-mail kohl@zew.de