Nobel Luminaries Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo to Spearhead Landmark Zurich Research Centre

In a monumental stride for global development research, Nobel laureates Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo are poised to co-lead a pioneering CHF 32 million research centre in Zurich. Slated to commence in July 2026, this ambitious initiative will stand as a beacon for advancing development economics, bringing together the formidable expertise of the esteemed economists with the academic prowess of ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich.

The "Zurich Centre for Development Economics," as it's tentatively known, represents a significant investment in understanding and alleviating global poverty.

Generously funded by the UBS Foundation with a commitment of 32 million Swiss francs over 12 years, the centre underscores a robust belief in the power of rigorous, evidence-based research to drive meaningful change. Its establishment marks a critical collaboration between two of Switzerland's leading academic institutions, forging an interdisciplinary hub dedicated to some of humanity's most pressing challenges.

Banerjee and Duflo, renowned for their groundbreaking work on experimental approaches to poverty alleviation – which earned them the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 2019, alongside Michael Kremer – will bring their unparalleled vision and methodological rigor to this new venture.

Their research has fundamentally shifted how we understand and combat poverty, emphasizing randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effectiveness of development interventions, from health programs to educational reforms.

Under their guidance, the Zurich Centre for Development Economics will serve as a vibrant intellectual ecosystem.

It aims to foster a new generation of researchers, hosting PhD students, postdocs, and senior scholars who will delve into complex questions surrounding global inequality, sustainable development, and effective policy design. The centre's mission extends beyond academic inquiry; it seeks to actively bridge the chasm between theoretical research and practical application, ensuring that findings translate into tangible improvements in the lives of the world's most vulnerable populations.

The collaboration between ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich, facilitated by this substantial funding, promises to create a unique platform for interdisciplinary dialogue and innovation.

By attracting top talent and focusing on cutting-edge methodologies, the centre is set to become a global nexus for development economics, shaping future policies and inspiring new solutions to the persistent challenge of poverty. The countdown to July 2026 has begun, heralding an exciting new chapter in the global fight against economic disparity, led by two of the field's most influential minds.