Meta-reflection of economic research, incl. history of ideas
Introducing the Junior Professorship for Plural Economics
The junior professorship for plural economics is dedicated to reflecting on the foundations of scientific theory as well as the practical application of plural economic approaches in research and teaching.
Dr. Svenja Flechtner has held the professorship since March 2018 and focuses on research into socio-economic inequalities, particularly in the contexts of economic development and socio-ecological transformation.
Svenja Flechtner is the subject coordinator for the Erasmus exchange in the field of economics with the Universitá degli studi di Roma 'La Sapienza' and the Université de Picardie Jules Verne in Amiens. She is also a liaison lecturer for the Hans Böckler Foundation.
Our research profile
The Junior Professorship of Pluralist Economics deals with questions of economic and social development in the context of social and ecological inequalities. The focus is on researching the relationships between income and wealth distribution, ecological sustainability and social prosperity. Current projects are investigating, for example, how inequalities affect the conflicting goals of social development and environmental pollution. Another research focus is the analysis of wealth inequalities, for example in the context of migration.
In addition, the junior professorship deals with behavioral development economics - a field of research that sheds light on psychological, social and cultural factors of economic action in development processes. This involves the question of how different patterns of thought and action shape poverty, inequality and sustainable development. A particular concern is the promotion of interdisciplinary research and the reflection of pluralism in economics - i.e. openness to a wide range of theoretical approaches and methodological approaches.
Main research areas
- Inequality, sustainability and social prosperity
- Income and wealth inequality
- Gender inequality, labor market and labor force participation
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Publications
The list includes published research
Journal article
2025
Drivers of Youth Outsiderness in European Labour Markets. A Comment on Marques and Salavisa (Socio-Economic Review, 2017)
Drivers of Youth Outsiderness in European Labour Markets. A Comment on Marques and Salavisa (Socio-Economic Review, 2017)
Journal article
2025
Beyond fads and magic bullets: The promise of behavioral approaches in development economics
Beyond fads and magic bullets: The promise of behavioral approaches in development economics
Journal article
2025
Migrant wealth in Germany
Migrant wealth in Germany
Journal article
2024
The role of the commodity price boom in shaping public social spending: Evidence from Latin America
The role of the commodity price boom in shaping public social spending: Evidence from Latin America
Journal article
2024
The Reproduction of Inequalities through Educational Aspirations: Evidence from Teenagers in India
The Reproduction of Inequalities through Educational Aspirations: Evidence from Teenagers in India
Journal article
2024
Women’s decision-making power, cooking fuel adoption and appliance ownership: Evidence from Rwanda, Nepal and Honduras
Women’s decision-making power, cooking fuel adoption and appliance ownership: Evidence from Rwanda, Nepal and Honduras
Journal article
2022
Why Is the Accumulation of Knowledge So Hard? Exploring Econometric Research on the Determinants of Public Social Spending in Latin America
Why Is the Accumulation of Knowledge So Hard? Exploring Econometric Research on the Determinants of Public Social Spending in Latin America
Journal article
2021
Poverty Research and its Discontents: Review and Discussion of Issues Raised in <i>Dimensions of Poverty. Measurement, Epistemic Injustices and Social Activism</i>(Beck, V., H.Hahn, and R.Lepenies eds., Springer, Cham, 2020)
Poverty Research and its Discontents: Review and Discussion of Issues Raised in <i>Dimensions of Poverty. Measurement, Epistemic Injustices and Social Activism</i>(Beck, V., H.Hahn, and R.Lepenies eds., Springer, Cham, 2020)
Journal article
2017
Growth Miracle or Endangered Development? Vested Interests, Policy-Making, and Economic Development in the Dominican Republic
Growth Miracle or Endangered Development? Vested Interests, Policy-Making, and Economic Development in the Dominican Republic
Journal article
2017
Should Aspirations be a Matter of Policy Concern?
Should Aspirations be a Matter of Policy Concern?
