Michael Weber, a globally recognized economist known for his work on household finances and macroeconomic expectations, Granted With the famous Professor Alexander von Humboldt Set up to join ESMT Berlin. This marks a milestone in ESMT as it will become the first German business school to receive this honorable research honor.
Michael Weber is internationally respected for his groundbreaking research in behavior and macroeconomics and was awarded Professor Alexander von Humboldt. Weber is currently a professor at the University of Chicago Booth Business School and is scheduled to join ESMT Berlin in the spring of 2026, awaiting final appointment negotiations. This will make ESMT the first business school in Germany, with the owner receiving this elite award.
Funded by the Federal Ministry of Research and Technology, Alexander von Humboldt FoundationIt is designed to attract global research talent for shocking and long-term academic efforts in Germany. It’s worth up to 5 million euros. This is one of Germany’s most prestigious and generous contribution research awards.
This distinction highlights not only the research ambitions of ESMT, but also the growing importance of interdisciplinary approaches in management and economics. “Michael Weber is one of the most influential voices in today’s family finance and macroeconomic expectations,” ESMT president Jorg Rokol emphasizes Weber’s insights bring to schools.
Weber’s research links how inflation expectations affect consumer behavior, savings and economic trust, demonstrating the value of transparent central bank communication.
In his new role, Weber intends to establish a European Expectations Center at ESMT. It is a pioneering hub focused on understanding how inflation expectations between households and businesses evolve and influence decision-making. The Centre will conduct a comprehensive annual survey, open up both academic and policy work, and host events for stakeholders across Europe. Weber is expected to begin appointments in spring 2026, and recruitment for the new centre is already underway.
Image credits: Chicago Booth University
