Michael Hüther is Director and Member of the Presidium of the Cologne Institute for Economic Research. The economist is considered one of the most prominent voices in the German economic debate and is known for his independent perspective and analyses that go beyond day-to-day political routines. After studying economics and medieval and modern history at the University of Giessen, supplemented by a study visit to the University of Anglia in Norwich, Hüther turned to academic work at an early stage. From 1987 to 1991, he worked at Prof. Dr. Petersen's Chair of Economics and Public Finance at the University of Giessen and received his doctorate summa cum laude in 1989. This was followed by years on the staff of the German Council of Economic Experts, where he was appointed Secretary General in 1995. In 1999, Hüther moved to DekaBank Frankfurt as Chief Economist, later becoming Head of Economics and Communications. Since 2004, he has been at the Head of the Cologne Institute for Economic Research. In addition to his work at the IW, Michael Hüther teaches as an honorary professor at the EBS Business School in Oestrich-Winkel and, since 2019, as an adjunct professor at Stanford University, previously as Gerda Henkel Adjunct Professor in the Department of German Studies. Among other things, he is Chairman of the Supervisory Board of TÜV Rheinland AG, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board of Atlantik-Brücke, a permanent guest on the Presidium of the BDA and BDI, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Max Planck Institute for Social Research, and a trustee of the German Economy Foundation. In 2009, he was awarded the Cross of Merit on Ribbon of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for his work. In his keynote speeches, Michael Hüther combines analytical depth with clarity and context. He opens up new perspectives, contextualises economic developments and encourages listeners to rethink economic relationships.