Lans Bovenberg receives the Dutch Prize for Political Economics

Emeritus Professor of Economics Lans Bovenberg has meant a lot to economic science and literature with his research. For his work he received the Dutch Prize for Political Economy.

Bovenberg’s work covers public finance, economics and public interest management and environmental economics. In recent years, his focus has been more on the topics of aging and pensions, which is what the Netspar knowledge network he founded focuses on.

Improve secondary economics education

In addition to his scientific research, Bovenberg has campaigned for the reform of economics education in secondary schools. In 2015, Bovenberg took a seat on the Goldschmeding chair, which was established especially for this purpose at Tilburg University.

Bovenberg wanted to shift the focus within the economics school subject: according to him, students should not only learn about how individuals make the most profitable choices, but also about the ability of people to work together.

Career

In 1997, Bovenberg received his PhD from the University of California, Berkeley. During his career he has worked at the International Monetary Fund, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Central Planning Bureau, among others. He has been a part-time professor at EUR and between 1998 and 2023 he was professor of Economics at Tilburg University.

Lans Bovenberg already won the Spinoza Prize in 2003, one of the most prestigious scientific awards in the Netherlands. This is awarded for ‘excellent, groundbreaking and inspiring scientific research’ and Bovenberg won for his research into environmental taxes.

Presentation

The Dutch Prize for Political Economy is a triennial oeuvre prize for economists, and has been the successor to the Pierson Penning Prize since 2024. Bovenberg was presented with the prize on April 12.

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