In conversation with our young researchers: Natella Agikyan

30 June 2023

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Environmental economics

Environmental economics aims to understand the interaction between the economy and the environment and to design policies that promote both economic growth and environmental sustainability.

How do environmental and gender economics interact? How do they bring fresh perspectives to labour economics?

Natella Agikyan is a PhD candidate in Economics at the Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER). As a doctoral student, she is involved in research on labour economics, focusing on environmental and gender economics.

At the intersection between environmental and gender economics

The integration of environmental economics and gender economics into the study of labour economics yields valuable insights into how environmental policies affect labour markets and how gender interacts with both environmental and labour market outcomes. For example, environmental policies, such as regulations aimed at mitigating the consequences of climate change by transitioning to renewable energy sources, can create demand for new green skills and therefore influence the composition of jobs across industries. Additionally, the interaction and interdependence of the gender gap and environmental policies are not fully determined and obvious, creating incentives for further research.

By incorporating environmental and gender perspectives into her research, Natella Agikyan aims to identify the impact of the green transition on the labour market and shed light on the importance of the interconnections of these economic fields.

By investigating how environmental policies affect different groups of workers and how it influences gender gap and labour market outcomes, we can identify new job opportunities for promoting sustainable development.
Natella Agikyan

A member of the Labour Market department of LISER

The main mission of the Labour Market department of LISER is to analyse the effects of public policies and societal changes on employment and on the workplace.

The department aims to analyse the impact of public policies on employment in a context of high cross border mobility and how current socioeconomic challenges (such as digital transformations, diversity and ageing of the workforce) in the workplace impact firms’ modes of organisation and performance, employees’ skills and behaviour, and labour relations. The department’s researchers use a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate topics such as wage dynamics, job mobility, discrimination, and the impact of labour market policies. They also collaborate with policymakers, social partners, and other stakeholders to provide evidence-based recommendations for improving labour market outcomes.

Research Luxembourg: diversity and interdisciplinarity as a powerful engine

Natella was born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. After completing high school, she pursued her bachelor’s degree in World Economy at the National Research University Higher School of Economics in Moscow. For her master’s degree, she studied economics and started a double degree research programme at the University of Luxembourg.

I have met different people from different points of the world, speaking different languages, and interested in different research topics. Still, I have realised they worked very well together and I liked it.
Natella Agikyan

Natella chose Luxembourg as a research destination because of the safe and supportive environment. A key factor in her decision to choose Luxembourg for her PhD studies was the fact that she was able to explore new perspectives in research.

It’s nice to feel that you can ask any question to anyone and they will be willing to answer you, and if they don’t know, they will try their best.

Natella Agikyan

The multilingual wonders of Luxembourg

Luxembourg has a linguistic diversity echoing the country’s history and its position as a crossroads of Europe. In addition to the local population, Luxembourg is home to a vibrant expat community, including people from all over the world who have come to work and live in the country. Despite the linguistic and cultural differences, the people of Luxembourg are known for being welcoming and hospitable to foreigners. This attitude is reflected in the country’s policies, which aim to integrate foreigners and provide support for their social and economic inclusion. The result is a dynamic and diverse society where people from all backgrounds can find a home and contribute to the country’s ongoing development.