Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
I study how economic policy shapes what firms actually do: how multinationals invest, plan their taxes, manage ESG exposure, and respond to disclosure regulation. My research covers corporate taxation, carbon leakage, private equity, sustainability, and the real effects of transparency rules on business behavior. I'm a Full Professor at the University of Mannheim and founding director of COBRA — a research center studying how economic policy affects corporate decisions and real economic outcomes. My work is published in the leading academic journals and has been funded by NBER, the Wheeler Institute, and ITFP. Before academia I gained experience in investment banking (JP Morgan M&A, London), strategy consulting (Roland Berger), and international tax and private equity (PwC, Flick Gocke Schaumburg). That background shapes how I think about the gap between what tax policy intends and what firms actually do. Previously at London Business School, I taught MBA and executive courses on taxes, sustainability, and M&A, and developed Python-based data analytics courses for accounting and finance. I now teach at Mannheim across bachelor, master, and PhD levels. I love speaking with journalists, policymakers, my students and colleagues, as well as practitioners on corporate tax, economic policy and business regulation (in particular in Germany), ESG, and private equity. Feel free to reach out. Personal note: Some people tell me my CV looks very productive. What I'm most proud of is the balance behind it: a strong body, a calm mind, a growing family with happy daughters, dog, and chickens. 🐓
Chair in Taxation, Accounting and Finance Teaching in taxation, AI in business and research, and PhD-level research on economic policy and firm behavior Founding Director, COBRA — Mannheim Center for Corporate Behavior and Regulation Analysis Editorial Board, The Accounting Review; Associate Editor, European Accounting Review Research affiliate and PI: ZEW Mannheim and TRR 266 Research grants: NBER, Wheeler Institute, ITFP
Building a new research center at the University of Mannheim Business School - to establish a catalyst platform to help our community study the real-world effects of regulation and public policy on businesses, markets, and society. Pushing the frontier and providing an environment for ambitious, world-class research output. Designing and hosting thought-leadership events. Disseminating research via events, traditional, and social media for real-world impact.
Working in collaboration with ZEW concerning research activities. Co-managing research projects and grants, supervise dissertations of ZEW's employees and, creating or maintaining research areas. Since February 2026: Research Associate 2020-January 2026: Junior Research Associate
Chair of Business Administration and International Taxation (Prof. Dr. Christoph Spengel)