Coen Teulings

Coenraad Nicolaas (Coen) Teulings (born 13 December 1958) is a Dutch economist and distinguished professor at Utrecht University. He was formerly professor of Economics at the University of Amsterdam and the University of Cambridge and former Director of the Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis, as well as Chairman of Merifin Capital.

Biography

Born in Rijswijk, Coen Teulings was the grandson of Frans Teulings, Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands 1951-52. He was a student at the University of Amsterdam, where he received his MA of Economics cum laude in 1985, and his PhD in 1990 with a thesis entitled "Conjunctuur en kwalificatie" (Cycle and skill).[1]

In 1985 Teulings started as researcher for SEO Economic Research. From 1991 to 1995 he held a Research fellowship of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. From 1995 to 1998 he headed the department of income policy of the Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs. In 1997-98 he was appointed Professor of Labour Economics at the University of Amsterdam, and from 1998 to 2004 in the same function Professor of Labour Economics at the Erasmus University Rotterdam. From 1998 to 2004 he also directed the Tinbergen Institute as successor of Herman K. van Dijk. In 2004 back in Amsterdam he was appointed Professor of Economics at the University of Amsterdam, and Director of SEO Economic Research from 2004 to 2006. From 2006 to May 2013 he was Director of the Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis. From 1 October 2013 he was appointed as the Montague Burton Professor of Industrial Relations and Labour Economics at Cambridge University.[2][3] From 2018 onward, he is distinguished professor at Utrecht University.[4]

Teulings has been elected Fellow of the Tinbergen Institute, Fellow of the Institute for the Study of Labor, Fellow of CESifo in Munich, and Fellow of the Centre for Economic Policy Research in London.[1]

Controversy

Statement on Euro benefits

In 2011, the Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis (CPB) conducted a study on the effects of the euro on the Netherlands and published it, among other things, in the book "Europe in Crisis." One of the study's conclusions was that the euro may have brought a benefit equivalent to a week's salary, but that this is uncertain. In an interview with De Telegraaf in May 2014, Teulings, the former director of the PB, stated that this conclusion should be taken with a grain of salt.[5] His statement led to criticism from economists and politicians. For example, economist Lex Hoogduin found Teulings' comments damaging to the credibility of the CPB.[6]

Unbecoming behavior

In his dealings with colleagues, Teulings has a reputation for pushing the boundaries of decency. For example, in 2018, he treated Irene van Staveren rudely during the plenary session of the annual Economists' Day.[7]

Herstel-NL

Teulings was involved with Herstel-NL, an organization with a plan to reopen the economy instead of the lockdown imposed in February 2021 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Teulings defended the proposal, which drew widespread criticism, including on the television program Op1. The idea of transferring vulnerable people to "safe zones" was particularly unpopular. Teulings was accused of neglecting his role as an independent scientist. A few days after the plans were presented, Teulings announced that he would no longer be active for Herstel-NL.[8]

Publications

Teulings published numerous articles in the field of economics[9][10] Books:

  • 1998. Corporatism or competition?: labour contracts, institutions and wage structures in international comparison. With Joop Hartog. Cambridge University Press.

Articles, a selection:

References

  1. ^ a b Curriculum Vitae Coen TEULINGS, January 2013 at iza.org. Accessed September 12, 2013.
  2. ^ Maarten Huygen (2013) "Coen Teulings benoemd tot hoogleraar in Cambridge." at nrc.nl. 4 September 2013.
  3. ^ List of professors at Cambridge University Cambridge University Reporter 24 December 2013, Section 5
  4. ^ Coen Teulings appointed distinguished professor at Utrecht University Utrecht University, 12 October 2017.
  5. ^ Telegraaf.nl (2014): CPB exaggerated euro benefits
  6. ^ Teulings responds to commotion
  7. ^ https://www.mejudice.nl/artikelen/detail/de-haantjescultuur-in-de-economie-wetenschap
  8. ^ Herstel NL thought it had the key, but locked itself out, de Volkskrant, February 27, 2021. Archived on August 16, 2022.
  9. ^ List of publications from National Library of the Netherlands.
  10. ^ Coen Teulings Google Scholar profile.