Social Market Economy Research Prize for Christina Langer

In her doctoral thesis, Christina Langer examined the role of new key skills in the rapidly changing labor market as a result of the transformation. She looked at both the supply side and the demand side of the labor market and examined how skills acquired during training affect the labor market success of graduates and which skills are sought after by companies. Among other things, she analyzed millions of job advertisements.

The cumulative doctoral paper, supervised by Professor Simon Wiederhold, consists of four publications – one was already published in the renowned Harvard Business Review. Christina Langer has also been invited to present her research at Harvard University and Stanford University. Extensive press coverage of her work, including in the Süddeutsche Zeitung, the FAZ, the Handelsblatt, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal, underlines the social significance of her research.

Christina Langer studied economics at the University of Regensburg and then completed her doctorate at the KU. Langer is a visiting researcher at the ifo Institute in Munich and completed several research stays at Harvard University during her doctorate. She is now a postdoc at the Stanford Digital Economy Lab in California. A few days ago, she had already received the KU's University Prize for the best dissertation, donated by Sparkasse Ingolstadt Eichstätt, at the Dies Academicus.

She has now accepted the Roman Herzog Social Market Economy Research Prize 2024 at a ceremony at the Literaturhaus in Munich. Two other outstanding research contributions by young female scientists were also honored. With prize money totaling 35,000 euros, the interdisciplinary research prize is one of the most highly endowed awards in the field of economics and social sciences.

Prof. Randolf Rodenstock, Chairman of the Board of the Roman Herzog Institute, explained: "The social market economy system is the basis for our prosperity and our future viability. With their research work, the three scientists honored today provide first-class and valuable impulses for modern, resilient and future-proof economic activity. With the Roman Herzog Research Prize, we are honoring their work."

Wolfram Hatz, President of the Bavarian Industry Association, emphasized: "The award winners combine theoretical solutions with practical recommendations for action." The Bavarian Industry Association particularly appreciates the value of the research work, "because we are urgently dependent on these scientifically substantiated impulses for the competitiveness of our business location".

Prof. Dr. Veronika Grimm, member of the German Council of Economic Experts, gave the keynote speech at the award ceremony and explained: "Especially at a time like this, which is characterized by geopolitical dynamics and major challenges for society as a whole, it is important that we return to the principles of the social market economy. Performance as the basis for social security must once again become the focus of society."

The Roman Herzog Institute sees itself as a think tank that focuses on values, leadership and the future. In addition to issuing its own publications and organizing scientific events, the Institute provides an in-depth focus on the topics and their research on YouTube and in podcast formats with well-known scientists.