Hamburg Institute of International Economics realigns strategically

8 April 2022

HWWI and Helmut Schmid University forge closer co-operation - new scientific director appointed

The Hamburg Institute of International Economics (HWWI) is strategically repositioning itself and strengthening research to concentrate even more on the north German economic region and establish international trend scouting. To this end, HWWI is forging even closer ties with Helmut Schmidt University (HSU), the University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg and the Chamber of Commerce.

Berlemann appointed new scientific director

The HWWI is now focusing even more on the themes of business cycle and growth, environment and climate, migration and integration as well as spatial economics. Young academics will be offered improved doctoral opportunities in co-operation with HSU. Michael Berlemann, Professor of Economics and Empirical Economic Research at HSU, will join Dr. Dirck Süß, Managing Director, as new Scientific Director at the helm of HWWI. Berlemann, who was appointed to his new position in late March, wants to transform the "institute from a think tank to an economic research institute".

Dirck Süß und Michael Berlemann, Directors of HWWI

Tracking trends and developments

Closer co-operation between science, north German business and politics should allow HWWI to identify and analyse key developments and trends early. The findings would then be made available for the economic development of Hamburg and north Germany. Prof. Norbert Aust, President of the Chamber of Commerce, stressed the "competitive importance" of close co-operation between science and business for Hamburg and north Germany as a business location. "HWWI will contribute significantly to that by collaborating with HSU and thanks to Prof. Berlemann's expertise."

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