The winners of the prestigious 2026 AFSE Thesis Prize have been unveiled, highlighting significant research contributions in economic sciences. Edouard Pignède, Karine Moukaddem, and Julius Goedde received accolades for their impactful theses.

Winners of the 2026 AFSE Thesis Prize Announced

On June 18, 2026, the French Association of Economic Science (AFSE) announced the recipients of the esteemed AFSE Thesis Prize for their groundbreaking contributions to economic research. This prize recognises scholars who have made significant advancements in the field.

Edouard Pignède Takes Top Honor

Edouard Pignède was awarded the main prize for his thesis titled “The Poverty-Environment Trap: Climate Change, Natural Resources, and Population Dynamics in Sub-Saharan Africa.” Supervised by distinguished economists Raja Chakir, Philippe Delacote, and Julien Wolfersberger, Edouard’s research focuses on climate change adaptation and resource utilization in Sub-Saharan Africa. Currently, he is a postdoctoral researcher at the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD), having completed his PhD at the University of Paris-Saclay, and is a member of the UMI SOURCE.

Special Mentions Recognize Notable Contributions

Two scholars received special mentions for their exceptional work:

• Karine Moukaddem for her thesis “Dynamics of Change: Essays on Gender, Aspirations, and Marriage Markets,” focusing on gender and socio-economic factors in the Middle East. She completed her PhD at the Aix-Marseille School of Economics, and is now a postdoctoral researcher at UCLouvain.
• Julius Goedde for his work on “Market Design in the Platform Economy,” emphasizing the intersection of market design and digital economies, holding a Ph.D. from the Paris School of Economics.