8th Lindau Nobel Meeting: Future of Economics and Causal Inference

It was a profound honor to be selected as an attendee of the 8th Lindau Nobel Meeting in Germany, placing in the top 1% of young scientists globally. This gathering provided a unique platform to discuss the most pressing issues in economics with the field’s most distinguished minds.

Discussions Laureates

Beyond the academic lectures, I had the privilege of engaging in direct conversations that deeply informed my research and career trajectory:

• Joshua Angrist: We discussed career options for economists, focusing on the intersection of academic rigor and policy impact.
• Jean Tirole: Our conversation centered on the diffusion of knowledge and skills from international firms in the developed world—a critical factor for global development.
• Simon Johnson: He provided invaluable guidance on strategies to ensure equality and labor market resilience in the age of AI.

Bridging Theory and Data

These discussions on causal inference and inequality directly inform my ongoing work at UNU-WIDER, where I manage the SA-TIED administrative tax dataset—one of Africa’s largest. The insights gained reinforce the importance of high-quality empirical research in designing strategies to reduce economic disparities.

This experience has significantly sharpened my approach to my PhD research at the University of Pretoria, as I continue to investigate worker vulnerability and sectoral resilience.