The future of data economy

panel discussion (video)

LISER Researcher invited to speak at the renowned European Forum Alpbach 2018.

With its mission cited as “connecting international decision-makers from all sectors of society with an interested audience and committed young people", the 2018 edition of the European Forum Alpbach focused on diversity and resilience in an age defined by rapid transformation. Among the highlights of the economic symposium are the highly attended panel discussions. 

Dr. Sofie Waltl of LISER, opened up the debate by emphasising the important of proper data management and the importance of data for an informed society. She was then accompanied in discussion with other thought leaders and decision makers, they included:

• Trevor D. Traina (Ambassador, United States Embassy, Vienna)
• Andreas Bierwirth (CEO, T-Mobile Austria and UPC Austria, Vienna).
• Justus Haucap (Director, Dice - Dusseldorf Institute for Competition Economics, Dusseldorf)
• Chair: Stephen Sackur (Journalist and presenter of Hardtalk, BBC - British Broadcasting Corporation, London).

About Dr. Sofie Waltl:  Sofie R. Waltl is a researcher based at the Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER). Prior to joining LISER, Sofie was a visiting scholar at the University of California at Berkeley, a PhD-trainee at the ECB and a research associate at the University of Graz.

After obtaining a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Mathematics, she pivoted to Economics and earned a doctoral degree from the University of Graz. Among other recognitions, she received the `Award of Excellence – Staatspreis für die besten Dissertationen’ by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science that recognizes the best dissertations in Austria.

She is specialized in economic measurement and data-driven, applied economics. Currently, Sofie is interested in measuring the distribution of wealth in Europe, the effect of wealth inequality on economic performance, as well as measurement issues related to housing prices and housing wealth.