UZH brings Nobel laureates Duflo and Banerjee from MIT

(CONNECT) Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee will move from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to the Faculty of Business and Economics at the University of Zurich (UZH) in July 2026, according to a press release. The 2019 Nobel Laureates will establish and manage the Lemann Center for Development, Education and Public Policy in Zurich.

The center and the two professorships are made possible by a donation of CHF 26 million from the Lemann Foundation. The charitable foundation is based in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Michael Schaepman welcomes the change of the two development economists. "We are delighted to have attracted such globally influential researchers to UZH," the UZH Rector is quoted as saying in the press release. "In their research, Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee combine scientific theory with social impact, which is also a key concern for UZH. With their presence, they strengthen the values and international visibility of our university."

Jorge Paulo Lemann calls the donation a "philanthropic initiative in the field of education". "It reflects my strong confidence in Brazil and Switzerland and in the power that can arise from close cooperation between the two countries," says the Brazilian-Swiss dual citizen and investor.

Duflo and Banerjee also want to further develop the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab from Zurich. The network of researchers is also active in Sao Paulo. "The new Lemann Center will enable us to continue and expand our work bridging academic research, student mentoring and evidence-based development economics," Esther Duflo is quoted as saying. Her husband, Abhijit Banerjee, takes a similar view: "We are convinced that the University of Zurich will offer us an excellent environment in which to continue our research in the coming years."

The two economists will retain a part-time position at MIT. Duflo will also resume her teaching activities at the Collège de France in Paris. ce/ug