About Us
The Hamburg Financial Research Center is a practice-oriented research institute and a center of financial and economic expertise for the Hamburg metropolitan region. The institute actively promotes dialogue and constructive exchange between academia, politics, and business.
Our Mission
As an independent research institute, we create forums for knowledge exchange between academia, politics, and industry. Our research supports public debate on financial and economic issues as well as financial innovation. Through both our applied research and our support for early-career researchers, we build a bridge from science to society.
Research
Financial and economic research across a broad range of topics forms the core of our work. We are positioned at the intersection of academic research and applied science. A particular focus of our work lies on sustainability-related issues. Together with our international partners, we publish our research findings in leading academic journals.
Knowledge Transfer
A central pillar of our activities is the promotion of exchange between business and academia. The institute sees itself as a constructive and critical partner for decision-makers in politics and industry. In collaboration with our corporate partners, we work on solutions to current challenges. Our event formats provide a neutral forum for dialogue and for presenting new research approaches.
Support for Young Researchers
Together with our corporate partners, we support the next generation of academics. Our scholarship program, HFRC Finance Talents, assists outstanding students of finance in their professional and personal development. Through our doctoral program, we promote selected dissertation projects and international research stays. Doctoral candidates are actively integrated into the global research network.
Institute Funding
The HFRC is funded by its namesake non-profit supporting association. Its activities are supported by a broad base of corporate partners. The institute’s funding structure ensures the complete independence of its scientific work. If you are interested in becoming a supporting member of our association, please feel free to contact us.
Key Milestones Since Our Founding
With the establishment of the HFRC supporting association in 2013, our institute began its research activities. This initiative by our director, Professor Dr. Wolfgang Drobetz, was supported by eleven founding members. Over the years, this first milestone was followed by numerous further steps leading to the HFRC in its present form.
HFRC Alumni Network
Launch of the HFRC Alumni Network for our former Finance Talents, doctoral candidates, and postdocs, aimed at strengthening long-term connections with the institute and among members.
HFRC Finance Talent #150
We are delighted to welcome the 150th Finance Talent to our scholarship programme. The programme continues to grow, and the Finance Talents remain a core part of the institute’s community.
Relaunch of the Institute’s Website
With the launch of our redesigned website, the institute’s central touchpoint goes online in a new look, consolidating communication around our research, transfer, and support activities.
HFRC Finance Talent #100
We are delighted to welcome the 100th Finance Talent to our scholarship programme. The programme continues to grow, and the Finance Talents have become an integral part of the institute’s community.
Social Media
Expansion of the institute’s communication activities through digital and social media channels. Our platforms focus on sharing insights into our research topics and initiatives.
HFRC Finance Talents
Establishment of our scholarship programme Finance Talents to provide financial and academic support for outstanding students of finance (Bachelor’s & Master’s level).
Working Paper #25
The 25th working paper in our Working Paper Series is published. Several of these papers have also appeared in international academic journals.
Hamburg Finance Forum
Launch of our annual conference to facilitate knowledge exchange between academia and the financial industry, focusing on asset management and institutional investment.
Doctoral Programme
Structuring of the institute’s financial and academic support for our doctoral candidates. The programme strengthens the academic framework for their PhD projects.
HFRC Working Paper Series
Establishment of our Working Paper Series to publish and disseminate the institute’s scientific research findings in the form of working papers.
Establishment of the HFRC
nstitutionalisation of the HFRC by our director and the founding members of our supporting association. Start of research activities and development of the research network.
Executive Board & Service Units
he institute is led by the director and the deputy director. Both represent the institute’s activities externally and oversee its scientific as well as operational work. They are responsible for the HFRC’s overall strategy, the expansion of our research network, and our corporate collaborations.
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Drobetz
Wolfgang Drobetz is the initiator and founding director of the Hamburg Financial Research Center. He is responsible for the institute’s research and knowledge transfer activities. In his primary role, he teaches and conducts research as a professor at the University of Hamburg. His academic work focuses on asset management, corporate finance, and corporate governance.
Prof. Dr. Henning Schröder
Henning Schröder is the deputy director of the Hamburg Financial Research Center. He is responsible for the institute’s support for early-career researchers. In his primary role, he teaches and conducts research as a full professor at Leuphana University Lüneburg. His academic work focuses on entrepreneurial finance, corporate finance, and sustainable finance.
Administrative Bereiche
Advisory Board
Our Advisory Board supports the institute’s leadership as an external source of inspiration. It serves as the HFRC’s link to the business community. The board is composed of distinguished figures from industry and politics. The appointment of board members is made jointly by the institute’s leadership and the executive board of our supporting association.
Michael Busack
Michael Busack ist Vorstandsvorsitzender und Gründungsmitglied unseres Trägervereins. In dieser Funktion ist er zugleich Vorsitzender unseres Wirtschaftsbeirats. Der geschäftsführende Gesellschafter des Hamburger Verlags- und Analysehauses Absolut Research ist Experte für Fragen der institutionellen Kapitalanlage sowie Organisator unserer jährlichen Asset Management-Konferenz “Hamburg Finance Forum”.
Dr. Christian Jasperneite
Christian Jasperneite ist stellvertretender Vorsitzender und Gründungsmitglied unseres Trägervereins. In dieser Funktion ist er auch zweiter Vorsitzender unseres Wirtschaftsbeirats. Als Chief Investment Officer des Bankhauses M.M. Warburg & CO verantwortet er dort die Asset Allokation wie auch die Produktentwicklung. Er ist zugleich Mitglied der HFRC Forschungsgruppe Asset Management.
Corporate Partners & Sponsors
Scientific independence and objectivity form the essential foundation of the institute’s work. We deliberately rely on a diverse range of corporate partners who support us both intellectually and financially in our activities. Companies interested in becoming supporting members of our association are welcome to join at any time.
Become a supporting member of the Hamburg Financial Research Center’s non-profit association and contribute to the work of the institute. Please send us a short message expressing your interest in becoming a supporter using the form below. We will then be happy to contact you to arrange a personal meeting with the institute’s leadership.