Cologne, Germany – Claudia Steinwender, a prominent economist from LMU Munich, has been announced as the winner of the prestigious Hermann Heinrich Gossen Prize for her significant contributions to empirical trade and innovation economics.

The award, which carries a prize of €10,000, was presented by Klaus M. Schmidt, chairman of the Verein für Socialpolitik (VfS), on September 16, 2025, at the University of Cologne. 

Steinwender’s research focuses on the impact of trade liberalization, information frictions, and research spillovers on productivity and economic development. Her work is recognized for its scientific excellence, innovative methodologies, and international visibility, contributing crucial insights into global economic processes. 

The Gossen Prize is awarded annually to a German-speaking economist in Central Europe under the age of 45, whose work has achieved international acclaim. Its purpose is to bolster the internationalization of economic research originating from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, with a key emphasis on publications in global academic journals. Named after the Prussian lawyer Hermann Heinrich Gossen, the award commemorates the contributions of economists to the field. Gossen’s influential work laid the groundwork for modern marginalist theory, despite its initial lack of recognition. 

Claudia Steinwender’s receipt of the Gossen Prize underscores her remarkable contributions to the understanding of economics in a rapidly globalizing world and her role in shaping contemporary economic discourse.

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Image Credits: socialpolitik.de