Gaétan de Rassenfosse

Associate Professor at EPFL

Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland

About

I am an Associate Professor in Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy at EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne), Switzerland. I hold a Ph.D. in Economics from the Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, University of Melbourne, Australia. My research tackles critical innovation policy questions by applying advanced econometric and data science techniques, with findings published in leading journals in Industrial Organization, Law & Economics, and Policy. I developed IPRoduct, a groundbreaking database linking patents to products, supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, among others. As an experienced speaker, I have delivered over 200 conferences and seminars worldwide and frequently engage with media, international organizations, government agencies, and private companies. Notably, I led a report on the 'Patent Box' regime as part of Australia's Prime Minister's election promise to explore this policy tool and have conducted contract research for prestigious entities such as the European Commission, the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research, and Innovation (SERI), the Australian Department of Industry, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. I have also served as an expert witness on patent data in English High Court FRAND proceedings between major SEP holders and implementers.

Experience

  • École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (11 yrs 9 mos)
    • Associate Professor
      Mar 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 5 mos

    • Assistant Professor
      Nov 2014 - Mar 2022 · 7 yrs 5 mos

  • Visiting Scholar at NYU Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
    Aug 2024 - May 2025 · 10 mos

  • Member of the Scientific Steering Committee, Observatoire des Sciences et Techniques at HCERES
    Jun 2020 - Dec 2023 · 3 yrs 7 mos

  • University of Melbourne (4 yrs 2 mos)
    • Senior Research Fellow
      Sep 2013 - Nov 2014 · 1 yr 3 mos

    • Research Fellow
      Oct 2010 - Aug 2013 · 2 yrs 11 mos

  • Doctoral Candidate at F.R.S. - FNRS
    Sep 2006 - Dec 2010 · 4 yrs 4 mos