Until recently, empirical research on preferences and personality traits has largely relied on data from high-income, industrialized countries. Although data availability may have been behind such focus, we believe that extending this line of research to post-transition, emerging and developing countries may be of particular scientific interest because it gives the opportunity to study contexts with a much wider variability of conditions.

Therefore, we are very pleased to announce the IZA/Volkswagen Foundation Workshop on the impact of preferences and personality traits on the labor market in post-transition, emerging and developing economies. The aim of the workshop is to bring together a number of junior and senior researchers to discuss their recent empirical and experimental studies on the above theme.

Topics of the workshop will include (but are not limited to):

•    Measurement of preferences and personality traits using survey instruments and experiments
•    Malleability of preferences and personality traits, and their rank order stability
•    Preferences and personality traits as driving factors of selection into labor market states and geographic mobility
•    Discrimination in labor markets
•    Long-term effects of educational interventions targeted at non-cognitive skills

We are especially interested in papers that combine experimental and survey evidence.

Thomas Dohmen (University of Bonn and IZA) will deliver the invited lecture.