Anna-Lena Rönnert

Anna-Lena Rönnert is an economist with vision and scientific flair. After her studies at FH Aachen and a double degree in Australia, she moved step by step towards research and policy advice - without a fixed master plan, but with curiosity, courage and a sense of opportunity. Today she works at the ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research in Mannheim as Consultant to the President. There she is a strategic interface, topic developer and organiser - always on the lookout for the next impulse.

How did your career develop after graduating?

Looking back, I used to believe that life paths always had to be well planned and logically structured. In reality, however, it was often coincidences, spontaneous decisions or external circumstances that led me to the next step (in the sense of serendipity). In retrospect, my stages can be linked together surprisingly well: each experience opened up new perspectives for me and motivated me to take the next step.

Was there a stage that had a particular impact on you - perhaps during your studies at FH Aachen?

One particularly formative example was my time at FH Aachen, where I started studying International Business Studies in the 2015/16 winter semester. As part of the integrated double degree programme, I spent a year at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia. Among other things, I took the 'Disruptive Innovation' module there, which impressively showed me how exciting, forward-looking and creative business administration can be - a far cry from the cliché of a purely 'dry' business studies programme. This experience sparked my interest in innovation and inspired me to complete my first practical training in business development at a newly founded business unit of an automotive supplier.

What did you do after your bachelor's degree at FH Aachen?

After completing my Bachelor's degree, I made a conscious decision to gain practical experience before starting a Master's degree programme. I think that practical trainings offer an excellent opportunity to try out different subject areas, familiarise yourself with new industries and find out what is really important for your future career. Exciting and challenging tasks are often offered to students and graduates during this phase in particular, offering plenty of scope for creativity.
I spent a total of two years in the automotive industry during this time, including a pre-master's programme and two practical trainings. This deliberate 'break' from my studies gave me valuable insights into corporate practice and further strengthened my choice of degree programme.

The Master's programme followed in 2020 - and the next impulse?

During my Master's programme at the University of Hohenheim, I further deepened my interest in innovation and entrepreneurship. In a seminar, I finally became aware of an advertised doctoral position. It was actually a lucky coincidence that matched my interests and marked the next milestone on my path.

Today you work at ZEW in Mannheim - what do you do there?

That's how I ended up at ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research in Mannheim, where I've been working as a Consultant to the President since May 2025. In my role, I work at strategic, content-related and communicative interfaces, particularly with regard to economic policy issues and the positioning of the Institute in public and political discourse.
I work closely with the President and support him in preparing presentations, written contributions and public appearances. I am also involved in committee work, for example as part of the Scientific Advisory Board, and oversee various internal dialogue formats. Another key task is to act as a link between different specialist departments and functions, thereby strengthening collaboration across the institute.

What issues are you particularly concerned with at the moment?

At the moment, I am primarily concerned with the economic impact of the geopolitical situation, particularly with regard to the US customs chaos. It is essential to always be up to date and to follow developments closely in order to be able to make well-founded assessments.
I am also working on the further development of the doctoral programme at ZEW in order to provide the best possible support for young researchers and to orient the programme towards the future. This is where my own experience as a doctoral candidate comes in handy.

What are your professional goals?

It's not easy for me to formulate my professional goals in concrete terms. As I mentioned before, my path has often been the result of lucky coincidences and exciting new opportunities. That's why I want to remain open to following these impulses and serendipity in order to constantly face new challenges and develop myself further.
I see myself more as a generalist who likes to combine different subject areas and is always open to new things.

What motivates you in your job?

What motivates me above all is the combination of curiosity and the desire to make a real contribution. I love understanding complex economic relationships and deriving impulses for practice and policy from them.
I am driven by the desire to make a difference with my work, be it through innovative research or by providing impulses for economic policy. I enjoy constantly learning new things and developing myself further in changing subject areas.

What do you particularly appreciate about your work - and where are the challenges?

What I particularly appreciate about my current job is the great variety and dynamism. No two days are the same, and that's what makes the work exciting and motivating for me. What's more, the topics are always topical and highly relevant to society, which gives my work additional meaning and significance.
One of the biggest challenges is always keeping my finger on the pulse of current economic and political developments. It is also often challenging to present complex scientific findings in an understandable way and make them accessible to both political decision-makers and the general public.
In addition, there is a high workload and high demands that require good prioritisation and efficient time management.

To what extent do your studies at FH Aachen still help you today?

As I mentioned earlier, I still refer back to the economic principles I learnt in the lectures at FH Aachen surprisingly often. Especially in current discussions, for example on international trade issues, it becomes clear how valuable this foundation is.
During my studies, I worked intensively in the field of economic policy with a view to trade agreements, for example in my Bachelor's thesis, and thus already dealt with topics that are still of great importance today.
Much more important to me than individual contents, however, is the path that the degree programme initiated: the practical approach, learning to be open to new things and the ability to adapt flexibly to different topics and challenges. This attitude and methodological basis still accompany me in my everyday professional life today.