PhD economics courses now open to students from other Swiss universities

Advanced Trade: EI128

Johannes Boehm

Fall 2026

The objective of this research-level course is to bring students to the frontier of theoretical and empirical work on trade and related topics. The first part of the course blends the stylized empirical facts about firms and trade patterns with core theoretical and quantitative frameworks that the literature uses and that students can build on for their own research. This part covers Ricardian models, selection and firm heterogeneity, competition and endogenous markups, production networks, and models of diffusion. The second part of the course discusses topics, both on questions that are at the core of international trade, but also some that extend into adjacent fields including spatial economics, development/growth, and environmental economics. Students that consider applying the tools of trade/spatial economics to do quantitative work in different fields are welcome to take this course as well.

Topics in Econometrics: EI137

Marko Mlikota

Fall 2026

This course discusses further topics in econometrics, building on the foundational concepts introduced in two compulsory econometrics courses for master students. First, it introduces Bayesian inference and applies it to cross-sectional linear regressions (Ridge- and Lasso-estimation), to panel data models (correlated random effects) and to univariate time series models. Thereby, it also discusses model selection and numerical sampling methods. Second, the course treats multivariate and nonlinear time series models (incl. vector autoregressions, dynamic factor models and models with time-varying parameters). Third, the course introduces Machine Learning methods and nonparametric estimation. This encompasses Kernel Smoothing Methods, Regression Trees and Random Forests, Neural Networks and Classification Analysis. Time permitting, the course may cover other topics of students' interest (e.g. models of multinomial choice, sample selection models, duration models, advanced instrumental variables methods, quantile regression, synthetic controls, ...). Assessment is based on two to three problem sets and an individual project, where students apply a method from the course to their application of interest.

Advanced Development Economics:  EI134

Raisaro Claude

Spring 2027

This is a PhD course open to Master students. This course introduces students to core issues in development economics, drawing from both theoretical and empirical research. Topics include labor markets, credit markets, behavioral biases, gender, norms, firms and migration. We also explore how individuals and organizations make decisions to deploy scarce resources, particularly in the presence of market failures. Lectures focus on recent theoretical and empirical work evaluating programs and behavioral policy designs aimed at alleviating constraints faced by individuals, firms and the state. The papers provide applications of a range of empirical approaches, including experimental, quasi-experimental, and structural methods. The course also aims to equip students with the tools needed to develop their own empirical research at the frontier of economics.

Advanced Environmental and Climate Economics: EI133 

Imelda
 

This course's primary goals are to (1) provide an in-depth examination of current research in environmental and energy economics, with a focus on its relevance for informing climate policy strategies, and (2) to foster a community of like-minded individuals interested in environmental economics across several institutions (IHEID, UniGE, UNIL, EPFL, and others), providing opportunities for networking and collaboration.  

The course combines lectures on state-of-the-art research in the field, student-driven research projects, and analytical critiques of recent papers. This class will integrate lectures from experts in the field through collaboration with the Hoffmann Centre for Global Sustainability advanced research seminar series.

Advanced International Macroeconomics: EI136

Tille Cédric

Spring 2027

This course reviews areas of active research on open economy macroeconomics, with the aim of giving students a broad view and help them identify research topics. Topics include: financial globalization and the global financial cycle, the broadening of the policy toolbox to new instruments (international reserves, macroprudential policies, and capital controls), determinants of real interest rates, design of optimal monetary policy in open economics, the dominant role of the dollar, and inflation. The first part of the course consists of lectures. The second part consists of presentations of papers from the reading list.