Michael Förster

Senior researcher and policy analyst -- inequality and social policy

Greater Paris Metropolitan Region

About

Michael is a senior researcher and policy analyst in the fields of economic inequality and social policy. He has lead OECD work in this area for 10+ years, resulting in a series of flagship publications: "Divided We Stand - Why Inequality Keeps Rising" (2011), "In It Together- Why Less Inequality Benefits All" (2015), A Broken Social Elevator? How to Promote Social Mobility" (2018), "Under Pressure: The Squeezed Middle Class (2019), "Does Inequality Matter? How people perceive economic disparities and social mobility" (2021). Since September 2022 Michael is giving lectures on economic inequality and policy as a guest professor at the University of Antwerp. He is also teaching at Sciences Po Paris (since September 2023) and at the Department of Sociology at the University of Vienna (since March 2026). Expertise: International comparative research and policy analysis in the areas of income distribution, inequalities, poverty and social exclusion; evaluation of social, labour market and redistribution policies. Design and conduct of social policy courses for policy advisors. Research and project management. For a list of publications and cv, please consult https://tarki.hu/eng/michael-forster

Experience

  • Guest Lecturer at Universität Wien | University of Vienna
    Mar 2026 - Present · 5 mos

  • Guest Lecturer at Sciences Po
    Sep 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 11 mos

  • Guest Professor at UAntwerpen
    Sep 2022 - Present · 3 yrs 11 mos

  • OECD - OCDE (Paris, Île-de-France, France)
    • Senior Economict/Policy Analyst
      Sep 2009 - Jun 2022 · 12 yrs 10 mos

    • Economist/Policy Analyst
      Jan 2005 - Aug 2009 · 4 yrs 8 mos

    • Economist/Policy Analyst
      Jan 2000 - Dec 2004 · 5 yrs

  • Research Fellow, Head of Programme Incomes, Poverty and Social Policy at European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research
    Jan 2000 - Dec 2004 · 5 yrs