Endowed with up to €5 million, the Humboldt Professorship is granted annually to up to ten leading international researchers across all disciplines. Funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space and awarded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the professorship aims to attract world-class scholars to German universities for long-term, high-impact research.

“Michael Weber is one of the most influential voices in household finance and macroeconomic expectations today,” said Jörg Rocholl, president of ESMT. “His appointment will significantly strengthen our research in economics and policy and further position ESMT as a leading hub for evidence-based insights in Europe. Receiving the first Humboldt Professorship awarded to a business school underscores the growing importance of rigorous, interdisciplinary research in management and economics.”

Currently a professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Michael Weber is globally recognized for his innovative work linking behavioral economics with macroeconomic theory. His research sheds light on how inflation expectations shape consumer behavior, savings decisions, and public trust in economic institutions. He has also demonstrated that clear, accessible communication from central banks significantly enhances their credibility and effectiveness. 

As part of his Humboldt Professorship, Weber is planning to establish the European Expectations Center at ESMT, a pioneering research hub that will explore how households’ and firms’ expectations about inflation evolve and influence real-world decisions. The center will conduct a global annual survey, publish academic and policy-oriented work, and host events that engage with stakeholders across Europe and beyond.

“I am thrilled to bring my research to ESMT Berlin through the Humboldt Professorship,” said Michael Weber. “Together with the European Expectations Center, we aim to provide data-driven insights that empower policymakers and asset managers to better navigate the complexities of inflation expectations in today’s economy.”

The recruitment process is currently already underway, and Michael Weber is expected to begin his appointment in the spring of 2026.