SCHUMPETER PRIZE 2022 AWARDED TO MARGRETHE VESTAGER

© Photos by Christian Lendl

After a corona-related break of two and a half years, the Schumpeter Prize was awarded again on 19 May in the OeNB's Kassensaal.

This year's award ceremony was marked by a reorientation. This was not only due to the fact that the EU Commissioner for Competition, Margrethe Vestager, was the first woman to receive this honour, but also due to the Schumpeter Prize for Young Researchers for outstanding achievements by young researchers, which was awarded for the first time this year.

After a welcome speech by Vice-Governor Gottfried Haber, the stage already belonged to the two young award winners Anja Prummer and Maryna Tverdostup. In their acceptance speeches, the German microeconomist and the Ukrainian labour economist gave an insight into their research work so far. The question of why there is still a significant gender difference in the career paths taken and, subsequently, in income, runs through their research.

The highlight of the evening was the awarding of the Schumpeter Prize to Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager by former head of the Federal Reserve Bank and Schumpeter President Ewald Nowotny. In her speech, Commissioner Vestager emphasised the need for an institutional framework that makes innovation possible. A framework that is represented, for example, by the European Construction Plan, Next Gen EU, or the Digital Services Act.

A concluding question and answer session, in which the audience had the opportunity to ask the laureate questions, marked the end of a successful event. Afterwards, the award ceremony ended with a buffet and networking.