Lex Hoogduin Professor of the Economics of Complexity and Uncertainty in Financial Markets and Financial Institutions

Prof. L.H. (Lex) Hoogduin, former member of the board of De Nederlandse Bank, has been appointed as a part-time professor in the Faculty of Economics and Business of the University of Groningen. The appointment means a return to Groningen for Hoogduin, who previously graduated from, was awarded a PhD by and spent a spell as a professor at FEB.

Hoogduin’s appointment as Professor of the Economics of Complexity and Uncertainty in Financial Markets and Financial Institutions in the Department of Economics, Econometrics and Finance (EEF) officially started on 1 April 2013.

‘Hope to inspire’

His decision to shift the focus of his working life from the world of banking to academia (at the University of Amsterdam, the Duisenberg Institute and now the University of Groningen) is entirely in keeping with his drive to discover what makes the world tick. He feels compelled to keep in touch with the real world: ‘I get a kick out of understanding things; that’s what fascinates me. It’s important to keep doing that, otherwise you go on automatic pilot. And I enjoy passing on my knowledge; it keeps me on my toes.’

Hoogduin is looking forward to his new job, even if it is only for one day a week. ‘It’s nice to be asked to join a faculty that I know so well. I haven’t quite worked out the details, but I’m considering teaching the concept of complexity and uncertainty in a number of course units alongside the mainstream approach. I shall be bringing a PhD student with me and hope that this way of looking at things will inspire others.’

Uncertainty and complexity

Hoogduin will concentrate on the economics of complex systems, with a particular focus on financial systems and financial institutes, including the supervision of these systems and institutes. A well-considered description of what he sees as a very special field: ‘Complexity is a key topic at the University of Groningen, and one that deserves more serious attention from the economic perspective. I added the uncertainty angle myself. My PhD thesis revolved around this subject; it has shaped the way I think about the issue and my view of the economy and the world.’

► Video (in Dutch) | Hoogduin: "Slecht plan om ECB de kredieten aan het MKB te laten overnemen. Schoon schip is nodig" (MeJudice 21 May 2013)

Curriculum Vitae