Prof. Dr. Sebastian Tonke
Academic Career and Research Areas
Prof. Tonke’s research lies at the intersection of environmental and behavioral economics. He studies the motives underlying economic behavior and tests their policy implications to address environmental challenges. Using randomized controlled trials (RCTs), he investigates the potential, limitations, and interdependencies of interventions, particularly in the context of sustainable water and waste management.
Prof. Tonke’s research lies at the intersection of environmental and behavioral economics. He studies the motives underlying economic behavior and tests their policy implications to address environmental challenges. Using randomized controlled trials (RCTs), he investigates the potential, limitations, and interdependencies of interventions, particularly in the context of sustainable water and waste management.
Awards
- 1st Prize for excellence in applied development research awarded by the German Economic Association (VfS) and KfW Development Bank (2020)
- Junior Scholars Award from BX2016 at Harvard University (2016)
Key Publications (all publications)
Tonke S: „Shaping Identity: Evidence from a Large-Scale Field Experiment“. Journal of Political Economy Microeconomics. 2025; 738880.
AbstractRockenbach B, Tonke S, Weiss AR: „A Large-Scale Field Experiment to Reduce Nonpayments for Water: From Diagnosis to Treatment“. Review of Economics and Statistics. 2025; 107(5): 1233–1246.
AbstractFuhrmann-Riebel H, D’Exelle B, López Vargas K, Tonke S, Verschoor A: „Correcting misperceptions about trends and norms to address weak collective action—Experimental evidence from a recycling program“. Journal of Environmental Economics and Management. 2024; 128: 103046.
AbstractTonke S: „Providing procedural knowledge: A field experiment to encourage resource conservation in Namibia“. Journal of Development Economics. 2024; 166: 103202.
AbstractRockenbach B, Tonke S, Weiss AR: „Self-serving behavior of the rich causes contagion effects among the poor“. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization. 2021; 183: 289–300.
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