Centre for Economic Policy Research

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR) 90-98 Goswell Road, London EC1V 7DB, UK Phone: +44 171 878 2900 Fax: +44 171 878 2999 Email: cepr@cepr.org

The Centre for Economic Policy Research was established in 1983 to promote independent, objective analysis and public discussion of open economies and the relations among them. The CEPR coordinates the activities of an international network of more than 450 Research Fellows. It is pluralist and non-partisan, brings economic and social research to bear on the analysis of medium-and long-term policy questions. In 1994 the Economic and Social Research Council of the UK established a resource centre within the CEPR to provide a range of  networking, dissemination, support and training services for the UK economics community.

The problems of modern economies and their interdependence require large-scale, carefully targeted research initiatives, but research resources are scattered across many universities and research institutes. The CEPR coordinates the research of a network of  selected specialists from many institutions, who collaborate through the Centre in research and dissemination. The CEPR provides common services for them and for the users of research, and it obtains funding for the activities it develops. The Centre is not an in-house research institute. Instead, it has pioneered a networking form of organization, which is exceptionally flexible and cost-effective.

The CEPR helps its Research Fellows to develop projects, obtain their funding, administer them and disseminate their results. The Centre's expertise and services provide an essential infrastructure for research in areas ranging from open economy macroeconomics to economic history and demography, with particular emphasis on all aspects of European integration. In addition, the CEPR's dissemination programme, involving its Bulletin, European Economic Perspectives, and a Discussion Paper Series as well as lunchtime meetings and briefings, raises the international visibility of European economics.

IZA Director Klaus F. Zimmermann served as CEPR Programme Director from 1991-2001 (first for Human Resources, later for Labour Economics). In August 2001, Zimmermann stepped down from this post due to his various commitments as IZA Director and DIW President. At the 2001 EEA meetings in Lausanne, CEPR President Richard Portes (see above photo, right) took the opportunity to thank Zimmermann personally for his record-setting ten years as Programme Director. "You have been a major force in building up the Labour Economics network," Portes said, "and you have made a considerable impact on a wide range of CEPR activities. I have valued very greatly your support and leadership in the development of the Centre." Both Portes and Zimmermann underscored their intention to keep up the friendly and fruitful relationship between IZA and CEPR in the future.