Economist Pinelopi “Penny” Koujianou Goldberg, a leading figure in the field of international economics, has been awarded the prestigious A.SK Social Science Award 2025 by the WZB Berlin Social Science Center. This honor recognizes her groundbreaking research on global trade linkages and their consequential effects on economic inequality worldwide. The award, accompanied by a prize of €75,000, is one of the most substantial and esteemed accolades in the social sciences, highlighting the significance and impact of Goldberg’s scholarly contributions.
Goldberg’s academic career is characterized by an impressive focus on the complex mechanisms of international trade, development economics, and industrial organization. As the William Nordhaus Professor of Economics and Global Affairs at Yale University, she has concentrated efforts on deciphering how global economic interdependencies shape socio-economic outcomes. Her latest work is particularly salient against today’s backdrop of rising protectionism and international trade conflicts, exploring the ripple effects of such shifts on global markets and populations.
One of Goldberg’s seminal contributions details the nuanced impacts of the US-China trade war. Contrary to simplistic narratives that depict trade conflicts as bilateral engagements only affecting the directly involved economies, Goldberg’s findings reveal a more intricate web of consequences. Her research demonstrates that the tariff impositions between these two economic giants have inadvertently created net export opportunities for a multitude of “bystander” countries—nations not directly involved in the trade war. This phenomenon challenges conventional wisdom, showing that trade dynamics are far more interconnected and adaptable than previously understood.
Expanding on the theme of protectionism, Goldberg’s analyses also delve into the domestic repercussions of recent tariff policies within the United States. By examining the distributional effects on income and employment, her work identifies that workers in export-oriented sectors located predominantly in strongly Republican districts bear the brunt of retaliatory tariffs. This insight sheds light on the socio-political ramifications of trade policies, elucidating how economic disruptions translate into localized discontent and political volatility, which are critical considerations for policymakers weighing protectionist measures.
Beyond trade wars and tariffs, Goldberg’s research ambitiously ventures into the intersection of intellectual property rights and economic growth, particularly within developing countries. Her inquiries into how the securement of intellectual property influences innovation, investment, and labor market participation—especially concerning women—offer vital implications for designing effective development strategies. By elucidating the mechanisms through which intellectual property regimes can catalyze inclusive growth, Goldberg’s work informs debates on balancing innovation incentives with equitable access in emerging economies.
Goldberg’s scholarly journey began in Athens, where she attended the German Gymnasium, and continued in Freiburg im Breisgau, before culminating in a Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1992. Her career trajectory reflects a blend of rigorous academic training and leadership within prominent economic institutions. She has held influential positions such as president of the Econometric Society and vice president of the American Economic Association, and served as editor of the American Economic Review. From 2018 to 2020, Goldberg held the distinguished role of chief economist at the World Bank, further embedding economic policy relevance into her academic pursuits.
In parallel with Goldberg’s recognition, the A.SK Social Science Award 2025 also honors a rising star in the discipline—Vicente Valentim, recipient of the second annual A.SK Bright Mind Award. Valentim, an assistant professor of political science at IE University in Madrid, investigates the underpinnings of social norms and their role in shaping political behavior and democratic stability. His research, focused on what societies regard as acceptable within democratic frameworks, provides critical insights into the escalation of anti-democratic and extremist expressions, a contemporary challenge facing democracies worldwide.
Valentim’s academic background includes a Ph.D. from the European University Institute, followed by postdoctoral research at Nuffield College, University of Oxford. His book, “The Normalization of the Radical Right: A Norms Theory of Political Supply and Demand,” published by Oxford University Press in 2024, presents a novel theoretical framework to understand the rise of radical right politics. His empirical work, published in leading political science journals, bridges theoretical innovation and pressing real-world political phenomena, earning him recognition as a scholar with a vibrant intellectual future.
The A.SK Social Science Award itself was established in 2007 and is endowed by Chinese entrepreneurs Angela and Shu Kai Chan. It recognizes exemplary scholarship that advances the analysis of political and economic reforms, emphasizing research that combines academic rigor with policy relevance. Over the years, the award has celebrated some of the most influential social scientists of our time, including luminaries such as Sir Anthony Atkinson, Martha Nussbaum, Paul Collier, Esther Duflo, and Daron Acemoğlu, thus situating Goldberg and Valentim among an elite cohort of thinkers shaping the discipline.
The upcoming award ceremony is scheduled for November 5, 2025, at the WZB Berlin Social Science Center, where the laudatory address will be delivered by Jörg Kukies, former German Federal Minister of Finance. This event not only honors excellence in research but also serves as a platform for dialogue on the critical social and economic issues of the day, fostering connections between scholars, policymakers, and the public.
Goldberg’s research agenda exemplifies the power of economic science to unravel multifaceted global problems through empirical rigor and theoretical sophistication. Her insights into international trade dynamics, the socio-economic fallout of protectionism, and the intersection of intellectual property with labor markets provide a robust framework for understanding the challenges and opportunities of globalization. Such contributions reinforce the notion that social science research can and must inform the design of policies that promote inclusive and sustainable growth.
In sum, the recognition afforded to Pinelopi Goldberg through the A.SK Social Science Award 2025 not only acknowledges her pioneering work but amplifies the vital role of economics in addressing global inequalities exacerbated by evolving trade regimes. Likewise, the acknowledgment of Vicente Valentim’s emerging scholarship underscores the importance of political science in decoding and countering the threats posed by extremist and anti-democratic tendencies in contemporary societies. Together, these awards highlight the dynamic and essential contributions of social sciences to understanding and shaping our world.
Subject of Research: Global trade linkages, protectionism, economic inequality, intellectual property rights, women’s labor market participation, social norms, anti-democratic behavior
Article Title: Economist Pinelopi Goldberg Awarded A.SK Social Science Award 2025 for Transformative Research on Global Trade and Inequality
News Publication Date: 2025
Web References: https://economics.yale.edu/people/pinelopi-goldberg, https://www.ie.edu/university/about/faculty/vicente-valentim/, https://www.wzb.eu/de/das-wzb/ask-award
Image Credits: Credit: PIIE Peterson Institute for International Economics
Keywords: Social sciences, international trade, protectionism, global inequality, economic growth, intellectual property rights, labor market participation, political science, social norms, anti-democratic behavior, economic policy
