I am a Senior Researcher with the ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research in Mannheim, Germany. I am interested in the empirical analysis of issues related to the economics of innovation, in particular policy evaluation, patent indicators, productivity and import competition. My work is characterized by the combination of unique micro data, econometric analysis, and methodological advancements. Since one and a half decades I have regularly visited China and East-Asia. My current research agenda is concerned with China’s development towards an innovation-driven economy and the impact of this on Europe. Based on my research I have provided policy advisory, e.g. to the World Bank and the German Commission of Experts for Research and Innovation (EFI). I stayed with Peking University for two years as a Visiting Assistant Professor and I am a Research Affiliate with IZA - Institute of Labor Economics and a Fellow with Tsinghua University.