Public Outreach

Stress is often perceived as a hindrance, but a study by economists suggests that, in certain cases, it can actually boost performance. Students exposed to stressful topics—such as unemployment or the mental health consequences of the pandemic—respond by sharpening their focus and improving their performance.

What is the history of women's place in the workforce? By exploring the unpaid work carried out by women over the last 150 years in the United States, economists Barbara Petrongolo, Claudia Olivetti and Rachel Ngai reveal the often underestimated importance of their role.

Who shapes our daily choices? Society, friends, family, colleagues, or neighbours? A team of economists examined how social interactions influence our decisions and what this means for public policy.

Have you ever hesitated when confronted with a text message reminding you to pay an unpaid bill? Or received a message claiming to be from your bank, urging you to update your personal information? Looking at the case of Kenya, economists Elif Kubilay, Eva Raiber, Lisa Spantig, Jana Cahlíková, and Lucy Kaaria examined the ability of individuals to detect fraud attempts.

Over the last few decades, the amount of money given in development aid has increased considerably in recent decades, from 86 billion constant US dollars in 2002 to 223 billion in 2023. However, challenges associated with development persist, raising the question of aid effectiveness. Is it the size of the budgets allocated that is lacking, or is it the way in which this aid is spent? Economist Nathalie Ferrière explores the issue.

When universities award scholarships, a large portion of the budget is taken up by administrative costs, reducing the amount that students actually receive. Economists Mohamed Belhaj, Frédéric Deroïan and Shahir Safi, demonstrate that where there are good working synergies between students, targeting a strategic sub-group of students rather than distributing funding evenly can optimise efficiency and reduced administrative costs.

Could rising property prices help create a fairer society? Following in a long tradition of economic thinking, Alain Trannoy and Etienne Wasmer suggest restructuring French taxation around property: land value assets, rather than capital or labour.

Tools often used around the world to measure inequality, such as the Gini index, can act in unexpected ways in certain situations. This is highlighted by economists F. A. Cowell and E. Flachaire.

What do the purchase of PSG by Qatar, Beijing's influence on New York real estate, and Norway's stakes in Total have in common? These investments are from sovereign wealth funds - investment funds owned by states. Economists Jeanne Amar and Christelle Lecourt have examined the reasons why these funds might seek to have, or continue without, stricter governance.

Is it possible to combine work and family obligations without compromising either? Childcare is an essential factor in the equation. Research by economists Mathieu Lefebvre, Laurène Thil, and Laté A. Lawson reveals how childcare practices vary from country to country, and depend on the mother's socio-economic status.