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Recent projects

The second in a webinar series that explores how feelings of relative deprivation, spatial inequalities, and socio-economic discontent are reshaping regional trajectories and influencing economic outcomes. By bringing together scholars working at the intersection of perception, well-being, and place, the series aims to foster a deeper understanding of how these dimensions can enrich regional analysis, inform policy, and ultimately contribute to more inclusive territorial development.

In this session, Arndt Leininger presents "Electoral outcomes as a form of discontent"

About the speaker: 
Arndt Leininger is an assistant professor of political science research methods at Chemnitz University of Technology, where he leads an Emmy Noether Research Group on “Polarization through and in referendums.” He previously worked at Freie Universität Berlin and served as interim professor at Universität Konstanz. Arndt holds a PhD from the Hertie School and an MSc from the London School of Economics. His research focuses on political behavior and applied quantitative methods, with interests in right-wing populism, polarization, direct democracy, turnout, youth in politics, election forecasting, and electoral studies.

Introduction by Max Roessler (Uni Greifswald). Hosted by Crhistian Joel González Cuatianquis and Max Roessler of the YSI Urban and Regional Economics Working Groups and the YSI Behavior and Society Working Group, in collaboration with the Regional Studies Association (RSA).

Join the next session live! 

November 12, 2025 (15:00-16:00 CEST) – Policy, Perception and Place: Rethinking Regional Development Strategies (Malin Roiha & Emma Fàbrega – European Social Research Unit & University of Barcelona, Spain). Register at https://ysi.ineteconomics.org/event/ysi-rsa-webinar-series-on-regional-inequalities-and-perceived-left-behindness/2025-11-12/

YSI is an initiative of the Institute for New Economic Thinking.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ysi_commons​​​ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ysicommunity 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YoungScholarsInitiative
Blog: https://www.economicquestions.org/​​​

The second in a webinar series that explores how feelings of relative deprivation, spatial inequalities, and socio-economic discontent are reshaping regional trajectories and influencing economic outcomes. By bringing together scholars working at the intersection of perception, well-being, and place, the series aims to foster a deeper understanding of how these dimensions can enrich regional analysis, inform policy, and ultimately contribute to more inclusive territorial development.

In this session, Arndt Leininger presents "Electoral outcomes as a form of discontent"

About the speaker:
Arndt Leininger is an assistant professor of political science research methods at Chemnitz University of Technology, where he leads an Emmy Noether Research Group on “Polarization through and in referendums.” He previously worked at Freie Universität Berlin and served as interim professor at Universität Konstanz. Arndt holds a PhD from the Hertie School and an MSc from the London School of Economics. His research focuses on political behavior and applied quantitative methods, with interests in right-wing populism, polarization, direct democracy, turnout, youth in politics, election forecasting, and electoral studies.

Introduction by Max Roessler (Uni Greifswald). Hosted by Crhistian Joel González Cuatianquis and Max Roessler of the YSI Urban and Regional Economics Working Groups and the YSI Behavior and Society Working Group, in collaboration with the Regional Studies Association (RSA).

Join the next session live!

November 12, 2025 (15:00-16:00 CEST) – Policy, Perception and Place: Rethinking Regional Development Strategies (Malin Roiha & Emma Fàbrega – European Social Research Unit & University of Barcelona, Spain). Register at https://heske.wisdmlabs.net/event/ysi-rsa-webinar-series-on-regional-inequalities-and-perceived-left-behindness/2025-11-12/

YSI is an initiative of the Institute for New Economic Thinking.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ysi_commons​​​
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ysicommunity
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YoungScholarsInitiative
Blog: https://www.economicquestions.org/​​​

1 0

YouTube Video VVVFV1N2VkV3YzBhXzFIcHlZN0VsVjF3LkViS0EzbDUzcVE4
The second in a webinar series that explores how feelings of relative deprivation, spatial inequalities, and socio-economic discontent are reshaping regional trajectories and influencing economic outcomes. By bringing together scholars working at the intersection of perception, well-being, and place, the series aims to foster a deeper understanding of how these dimensions can enrich regional analysis, inform policy, and ultimately contribute to more inclusive territorial development.

In this session, Grete Gansauer presents "Emerging spatial imaginaries of 'left behind' places in US policy discourse."

About the speaker: 
Grete Gansauer is an economic geographer and interdisciplinary public policy researcher focused on regional development, place-based policy, and the local state in peripheral regions and ‘left behind’ places. Her interest in rural community development sprouted while leading NGO programs and convening collaborative governance forums on environmental issues in Western Montana timber and mining communities in her early career. Today, her research maintains a focus on rural areas and natural resource production. Using qualitative policy analysis methods and place-based case studies, her research examines regional development and sustainability challenges amidst spatial inequality, and how central policies ‘touch down’ at the regional level. She has held fellowships and visiting appointments with the US Department of Agriculture, National Academies of Sciences in Washington DC, and University of Cambridge, leading her to collaborate on research in the US, UK and Finland. Currently, she is a board member of the Regional Studies Association, and she co-organizes EdgeNet, a global research network on peripheral regions and why they matter

Introduction by Max Roessler (Uni Greifswald). Hosted by Crhistian Joel González Cuatianquis and Max Roessler of the YSI Urban and Regional Economics Working Groups and the YSI Behavior and Society Working Group, in collaboration with the Regional Studies Association (RSA).

Join the next session live! 

- October 15, 2025 (15:00-16:00 CEST) – Electoral outcomes as a form of discontent (Arndt Leininger – Chemnitz University of Technology, Germany) Register at https://ysi.ineteconomics.org/event/ysi-rsa-webinar-series-on-regional-inequalities-and-perceived-left-behindness/2025-10-15/

- November 12, 2025 (15:00-16:00 CEST) – Policy, Perception and Place: Rethinking Regional Development Strategies (Malin Roiha & Emma Fàbrega – European Social Research Unit & University of Barcelona, Spain). Register at https://ysi.ineteconomics.org/event/ysi-rsa-webinar-series-on-regional-inequalities-and-perceived-left-behindness/2025-11-12/

YSI is an initiative of the Institute for New Economic Thinking.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ysi_commons​​​ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ysicommunity 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YoungScholarsInitiative
Blog: https://www.economicquestions.org/​​​

The second in a webinar series that explores how feelings of relative deprivation, spatial inequalities, and socio-economic discontent are reshaping regional trajectories and influencing economic outcomes. By bringing together scholars working at the intersection of perception, well-being, and place, the series aims to foster a deeper understanding of how these dimensions can enrich regional analysis, inform policy, and ultimately contribute to more inclusive territorial development.

In this session, Grete Gansauer presents "Emerging spatial imaginaries of 'left behind' places in US policy discourse."

About the speaker:
Grete Gansauer is an economic geographer and interdisciplinary public policy researcher focused on regional development, place-based policy, and the local state in peripheral regions and ‘left behind’ places. Her interest in rural community development sprouted while leading NGO programs and convening collaborative governance forums on environmental issues in Western Montana timber and mining communities in her early career. Today, her research maintains a focus on rural areas and natural resource production. Using qualitative policy analysis methods and place-based case studies, her research examines regional development and sustainability challenges amidst spatial inequality, and how central policies ‘touch down’ at the regional level. She has held fellowships and visiting appointments with the US Department of Agriculture, National Academies of Sciences in Washington DC, and University of Cambridge, leading her to collaborate on research in the US, UK and Finland. Currently, she is a board member of the Regional Studies Association, and she co-organizes EdgeNet, a global research network on peripheral regions and why they matter

Introduction by Max Roessler (Uni Greifswald). Hosted by Crhistian Joel González Cuatianquis and Max Roessler of the YSI Urban and Regional Economics Working Groups and the YSI Behavior and Society Working Group, in collaboration with the Regional Studies Association (RSA).

Join the next session live!

- October 15, 2025 (15:00-16:00 CEST) – Electoral outcomes as a form of discontent (Arndt Leininger – Chemnitz University of Technology, Germany) Register at https://heske.wisdmlabs.net/event/ysi-rsa-webinar-series-on-regional-inequalities-and-perceived-left-behindness/2025-10-15/

- November 12, 2025 (15:00-16:00 CEST) – Policy, Perception and Place: Rethinking Regional Development Strategies (Malin Roiha & Emma Fàbrega – European Social Research Unit & University of Barcelona, Spain). Register at https://heske.wisdmlabs.net/event/ysi-rsa-webinar-series-on-regional-inequalities-and-perceived-left-behindness/2025-11-12/

YSI is an initiative of the Institute for New Economic Thinking.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ysi_commons​​​
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ysicommunity
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YoungScholarsInitiative
Blog: https://www.economicquestions.org/​​​

2 0

YouTube Video VVVFV1N2VkV3YzBhXzFIcHlZN0VsVjF3LlFEOUZ5QlhuRHo0
Chuk Okpalugo (Product Leader in Stablecoin Payments & On-Chain Finance)
Chuk Okpalugo is a recognized leader in stablecoin payments, with deep expertise in blockchain infrastructure, fintech strategy, and on-chain finance. With over 10 years of experience, he is a trusted expert for financial institutions, regulators, and fintechs looking to understand market insights and technical considerations at the intersection of stablecoins, payments and finance. Chuk has spent the last 4 years at Paxos, where he leads the Stablecoin Utility teams, driving the adoption of Stablecoin Orchestration and Payment solutions. Previously, Chuk led product teams at Ribbon Home (Real Estate FinTech) and EquityZen (Pre-IPO Equity Marketplace). Earlier, he worked in private equity at Silver Lake Partners and investment banking at Morgan Stanley, focusing on tech and fintech investments. Chuk holds an MBA with Distinction from Harvard Business School and a BA in Medical Sciences from Oxford University. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuk-okpalugo

About this series
This talk was part of an exclusive interview series conceptualized and conducted by Aneesha Chitgupi hosted by the YSI Finance Law and Economics Working Group, in collaboration with the South Asia Working Group. Each interview explores the dynamic world of stablecoins and their transformative impact on finance.Discussions center on stablecoins—what they are, how they work, and why they matter for the evolving financial landscape. Learn more here: https://ysi.ineteconomics.org/event/stablecoins-uncovered-regulation-innovation-evidence-and-the-future-of-digital-money/2025-07-24/

YSI is an initiative of the Institute for New Economic Thinking.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ysi_commons​​​ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ysicommunity 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YoungScholarsInitiative
Blog: https://www.economicquestions.org/​​​

Chuk Okpalugo (Product Leader in Stablecoin Payments & On-Chain Finance)
Chuk Okpalugo is a recognized leader in stablecoin payments, with deep expertise in blockchain infrastructure, fintech strategy, and on-chain finance. With over 10 years of experience, he is a trusted expert for financial institutions, regulators, and fintechs looking to understand market insights and technical considerations at the intersection of stablecoins, payments and finance. Chuk has spent the last 4 years at Paxos, where he leads the Stablecoin Utility teams, driving the adoption of Stablecoin Orchestration and Payment solutions. Previously, Chuk led product teams at Ribbon Home (Real Estate FinTech) and EquityZen (Pre-IPO Equity Marketplace). Earlier, he worked in private equity at Silver Lake Partners and investment banking at Morgan Stanley, focusing on tech and fintech investments. Chuk holds an MBA with Distinction from Harvard Business School and a BA in Medical Sciences from Oxford University. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuk-okpalugo

About this series
This talk was part of an exclusive interview series conceptualized and conducted by Aneesha Chitgupi hosted by the YSI Finance Law and Economics Working Group, in collaboration with the South Asia Working Group. Each interview explores the dynamic world of stablecoins and their transformative impact on finance.Discussions center on stablecoins—what they are, how they work, and why they matter for the evolving financial landscape. Learn more here: https://heske.wisdmlabs.net/event/stablecoins-uncovered-regulation-innovation-evidence-and-the-future-of-digital-money/2025-07-24/

YSI is an initiative of the Institute for New Economic Thinking.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ysi_commons​​​
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ysicommunity
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YoungScholarsInitiative
Blog: https://www.economicquestions.org/​​​

3 0

YouTube Video VVVFV1N2VkV3YzBhXzFIcHlZN0VsVjF3Lkd5Mk81UDB4Q3Zz

We envision economic thinking that is free of intellectual barriers, resonates with reality, and serves our global society.

We're a global community

We aim to

  • Open up new ways to approach economic issues
  • Understand the foundations of economics
  • Bridge silos and break silences
  • Address the challenges of our global society

We recognize that

  • Economics is not settled.
    It is more open-ended, with room for debate;
  • Economics is a topic, not a technique.
    It is a social science, not a branch of applied math.
  • There is no trade-off between depth and breadth.
    Exploring new ideas produces better ideas.

21 Working Groups

Each one grapples with topics that most economic textbooks overlook:

Rob Johnson, President of INET

About INET

INET consists of economists and thinkers from a range of disciplines who challenge conventional wisdom and advance ideas to better serve society.

Aside from nurturing the next generation of young scholars with YSI, the institute produces and funds research that challenges economic orthodoxy, informs and educates to change the conversation about major economic problems and policy, and host events that bring together scholars, students, and policymakers from around the world.

>  INET’s website

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