For students:

Economics of Education

  • How does schooling affect earnings and employment?
  • What factors shape students’ career choices?
  • How does the quality of teaching influence skill development?
  • Which policies are most effective in preventing bullying, and fostering inclusion?
  • How does education contribute to intergenerational mobility and the reduction of inequality?

The Economics of Education group studies how education systems shape human capital formation, labor market outcomes, and broader social and economic dynamics. Our research spans a wide range of topics, including the impact of educational inputs on skill formation, the returns to education, the ways institutions shape educational choices, and the role of education in social mobility. We also examine how education influences outcomes beyond the labor market, such as criminal behavior, gender norms, and family formation.

Our work combines rigorous empirical identification strategies with a focus on policy-relevant questions. Methodologically, we rely on a broad set of tools, including randomized experiments, quasi-experimental research designs, and extensive use of large-scale administrative and survey data. These approaches allow us to provide credible evidence on the effects of education policies and institutional arrangements across diverse contexts. In addition to causal inference, we contribute to academic and policy debates through high-quality descriptive analysis.

EDUCA Flagship

The Helsinki GSE Education group represents economics within the interdisciplinary Education for the Future (EDUCA) Flagship, funded by the Research Council of Finland.

EDUCA Seminar

We organize a biweekly Economics of Education seminar on Tuesdays, typically featuring speakers from international institutions. For more information, please contact Daniel Carvajal (daniel.carvajal@aalto.fi) or Cécile Bonneau (cecile.bonneau@aalto.fi).

Helsinki Economics of Education Workshop

The one-day workshop brings together researchers working broadly on the Economics of Education and provides a platform to discuss research and to network. The first workshop will take place on September 19th, 2025. For more information, please contact Daniel Carvajal (daniel.carvajal@aalto.fi).

HEEPS (Helsinki Economics of Education work-in-Progress Seminar)

We also organize an informal seminar approximately once a month, where participants present early-stage and ongoing research projects in the Economics of Education. For more information, please contact Hanna Virtanen (hanna.virtanen@etla.fi) or Mikko Silliman (mikko.silliman@aalto.fi).

Chair

Members

PhD Students

  • Gabrielle Fack

    Dauphine University

    The Effect of Affirmative Action on Targeted and Non-Targeted Students: Evidence from Low-income priorites in Paris High Schools (with Julien Grenet …

    • Economics of Education (Educa)
    • Seminar

  • Jenifer Ruiz Valenzuela

    University of Barcelona

    The content of this event has not been announced yet. Please check back later.

    • Economics of Education (Educa)
    • Seminar