Congratulations to CEPR Research Fellow Alexandra Roulet, who has received the 2024 Best Young French Economist Award. Awarded by Le Monde and Le cercle des économistes, the prize recognises the accomplishments and contributions of French economists under the age 41 and their contribution to public debate.

Established in 2000, the Best Young Economist Prize is the benchmark award for young French economists. As described in Le Monde (Monday 27 May 2024), the prize ‘recognises academic excellence, as demonstrated by the quality of the candidates' international publications. But the originality of the Prize also lies in its emphasis on the ability to analyse economic and social realities, and on participation in public debate.’ Successful candidates demonstrate their ability to respond to complex societal issues and contribute to economic policy or corporate decision-making. Le Monde commended Roulet for exemplifying ‘this ambition, combining academic excellence with a commitment to public life.’

Alexandra, who is Assistant Professor of Economics at INSEAD, was appointed to CEPR’s Labour Economics Programme in 2018 and joined the Inequality and the Role of Firms Research Policy Network (RPN) in 2023. Roulet served as macroeconomics and public policy adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron and to former prime minister Elisabeth Borne and is involved in the work of the governmental employment agency France Travail and the General Secretariat for Investment.  Her work has covered unemployment insurance, gender pay gaps, and productivity and competition.

You can read Alexandra's full interview with Le Monde here.