KOF Swiss Economic Institute of ETH Zurich

Founded in 1938, the KOF Swiss Economic Institute of ETH Zurich is one of the oldest economic research institutes in Switzerland. It provides independent and competent contributions both to the discussion of economic policy in Switzerland and to international research. It considers itself an exchange platform for economists and drives forward its future-oriented research through national and international cooperation with science, institutions and industry. The Institute, which is affiliated at the ETH Department of Management, Technology and Economics (D-MTEC), supports various expert committees such as Econpol, an European research network. It also builds bridges between economics and the public, for example through regular events on topics relevant to economic policy. The Institute has its finger on the pulse of the economy. Its scientific work is based on company surveys of more than 9000 Swiss companies, which form the basis for many research projects and are indispensable for economic forecasts. However, the Institute's work has long gone far beyond economic research. The more than 70 employees of the KOF and the three affiliated chairs deal with questions on innovation, internationalisation, governmental framework conditions or the comparison of international education systems. In addition, the training of young scientists is of great importance. Currently, 27 doctoral students are employed at the KOF. The Institute is headed by Prof. Dr. Jan-Egbert Sturm and Co-Director Prof. Dr. Hans Gersbach.