In a star-studded handover led by genuine Nobel Laureates, researchers Dr. Paul Piff, Daniel Stancato, Stéphane Côté, Rodolfo Mendoza-Denton, and Dacher Keltner were awarded the 2026 Ig Nobel Prize in Economics. 

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has appointed 12 new independent members to its inquiry panel, aimed at enhancing its expertise in regulatory matters. The new appointees, who have extensive backgrounds in business, economics, and law, will begin their terms in September and October 2026, replacing members whose terms are expiring. 

Maynooth University has announced the appointment of Professor David Cuberes as the new Head of the Department of Economics, effective September 1, 2026. He succeeds Dr. Aedín Doris. Professor Cuberes is known for his research in urban economics and economic growth. 

Leah Boustan, a prominent scholar in economic history and labor economics, has been appointed the Malcolm K. Brachman Professor of Economics at Yale University, effective July 1, enhancing the university's faculty expertise in these fields. 

Environmental economist Prof. Dr. Sebastian Tonke from the Technical University of Munich has been awarded the prestigious Joachim Herz Prize for his innovative research project on sustainable drinking water use. He will receive €500,000 to study effective incentives for water conservation in households. 

Yale University announces the appointment of Navin Kartik as the A. Douglas Melamed Professor of Economics, effective July 1, 2026. A noted scholar in microeconomics and game theory, Kartik's research examines strategic communication and incentive structures.