The German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin) primarily focuses on advanced research and policy analysis in economics, rather than traditional undergraduate or graduate courses. However, it offers specialized seminars, workshops, and training programs that function as short-term courses for researchers, policymakers, and professionals. These programs emphasize empirical economic research, data analysis, and policy evaluation.
- Macroeconomics and Economic Policy: This course explores macroeconomic theories, fiscal and monetary policies, and their impacts on growth, inflation, and employment in Germany and the EU. Participants analyze current economic challenges using econometric models and historical data from the German economy.
- Microeconomics and Household Economics: Focusing on individual and household behavior, this program covers topics like labor markets, income distribution, and consumer choices. It includes practical sessions on survey data analysis from DIW's Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP).
- Energy Economics and Climate Policy: Courses here delve into sustainable energy transitions, carbon pricing, and environmental economics. Attendees learn to model energy markets and evaluate green policies using real-world datasets.
- Econometrics and Data Science: Advanced training in statistical methods, machine learning applications in economics, and big data handling. This includes hands-on coding in R and Python for causal inference and forecasting.
- International Economics and European Integration: Examining trade, migration, and EU policies, these sessions use gravity models and panel data to study globalization's effects on Germany.
- Public Economics and Social Policy: Covering taxation, social welfare systems, and inequality, with case studies on German pension reforms and healthcare financing.
- Behavioral Economics: Integrating psychology into economic decision-making, featuring experiments and surveys to understand biases in financial and labor choices.
- Urban and Regional Economics: Analyzing housing markets, regional disparities, and infrastructure investments in German cities like Berlin.
These programs, typically lasting from one day to several weeks, are designed for PhD students, academics, and practitioners. They incorporate DIW's proprietary datasets and foster interdisciplinary approaches, combining economics with sociology and environmental science. Participants gain skills in policy-relevant research, preparing them for roles in government, think tanks, and international organizations. The curriculum emphasizes rigorous empirical methods, ensuring outputs contribute to evidence-based policymaking. With a strong emphasis on Germany's unique economic context post-reunification, these courses also address global issues like digital transformation and demographic shifts. Overall, DIW Berlin's offerings bridge theory and practice, equipping learners with tools to tackle complex economic problems in a data-driven manner.
