We welcome our new colleagues!

Alexandra Brausmann

Alexandra is joining the University of Vienna from ETH Zürich, Switzerland. Alexandra's earlier research has focused on international migration and development issues, in particular on individuals' decision to migrate or not, legally or illegally, and their savings profiles over the lifecycle. Alexandra's current research covers various topics in Environmental Economics. One strand of her research looks at climate change impacts on growth and development in a dynamic and stochastic framework; optimal natural resource exploitation; carbon pricing and transition to a low-carbon economy. Another branch of her research investigates the potential of climate services to provide an adaptation mechanism to climate variability and warming in poor developing countries where the majority of population depends on agricultural income. Alexandra's current research interests also include environmental migration from developing countries as yet another adaptation mechanism to changing climate and deterioration of natural ecosystems.

Alexandra loves cross-country skiing; she used to compete in this sport in Russia, France and Switzerland before arrival of her son in 2018. She enjoys spending time with her family and she is looking forward to skiing in the Austrian Alps.

A few words on why she decided to join Uni Wien:

"I am delighted to join the University of Vienna and be part of its diverse and dynamic academic community. When I first visited the Faculty of Economics, it immediately felt like the right place to be, as everybody was very friendly and welcoming. I am sure the University of Vienna is a perfect place for me to develop as a teacher and researcher."

Kirsten Wandschneider

Kirsten Wandschneider is an economic historian who hails from Germany via Los Angeles, USA. After obtaining her PhD at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, she has taught at Middlebury College and Occidental College.

Kirsten Wandschneider's research focuses on European monetary and financial history, particularly the development of financial institutions and markets. Her research has been published in international journals such as the Journal of International Economics, the Journal of Economic History, and World Economy. She will hold a joint appointment in the Department of Economics and the Department of Economic and Social History.

Kirsten is excited to join the University of Vienna and work with the excellent colleagues and students in both departments. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the city with her family.