Market and Mechanism Design, Behavioral Economics

Melisa Kurtis is a Ph.D. student at the chair of Prof. Dr. Axel Ockenfels and enrolled in the Master of Economic Research at University of Cologne. She completed her Bachelor in Business and Economics at the Goethe University in Frankfurt and spent one year abroad at University of Birmingham.

What is the best thing about your job?

The freedom of research, that I am challenged every day, the collegial teamwork, and that I get to pass on my knowledge and enthusiasm for my subject to students.

If you had not gone into research, what would you be doing today?

If I hadn’t gone into research and economics in general, I would have focused on a socially relevant role, such as a mathematician, teacher, psychologist, or book author.

Who or what inspires you?

I am usually inspired by certain qualities in people: positive energy, a sense of ambition, and social awareness. In everyday life, I find this in colleagues, friends, family, acquaintances, and strangers.

When was the last time you had to change your mind?

As a researcher, I constantly need to. I’m not a fan of fixating on one opinion, rather I always maintain an open attitude to new insights and feedback.

Which advice would you have needed yourself as a doctoral student?

That negative criticism will come in any case and this is both normal and very important. One should classify this correctly for oneself and seek other opinions if necessary.