Leonardo Felli

Leonardo Felli joined the University of Edinburgh as Head of the School of Economics in 2018. Prior to this he was Head of the Department of Economics at the London School of Economics since 2015.

Leonardo’s research focuses on economic theory. In particular, a major focus of his research has been to explore the rationale behind contractual incompleteness. His work has explored political lobbying, the optimal internal structure of organizations in the presence of collusion, blackmail and whistle-blowing, as well as wage determination and workers’ mobility in the presence of firm-specific human capital.

Recent work has explored a number of topics at the boundary of law and economics: the role of legal courts in interpreting and shaping transactions, as well as the efficiency properties of the evolution of common law.

Leonardo studied economics at MIT where he received his Ph.D. in 1990. Prior to joining the University of Edinburgh, he was an Assistant Professor at Boston College and a Lecturer, Reader and Professor of Economics at the LSE.

Research Interests * Professor Felli's research has focused on contract theory -- in particular on the question: Why are contracts incomplete? -- and also explored political lobbying, the optimal internal structure of organizations in the presence of collusion, blackmail and whistle-blowing, as well as wage determination and workers' mobility in the presence of firm-specific human capital.

Recent Publications * Felli, L. and Harris, C. Firm-Specific Training, Journal of Economic Theory vol 175 (2018) pp. 585-623

Research Activities * The Faculty Addresses Brexit, post-COVID Challenges and Diversity * As incoming chair of the Faculty of Economics Professor Leonardo Felli has faced unprecedented challenges, and his first year would be unusual year in every possible way. * Published on - Monday 14th December 2020

Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET) * The Cambridge-INET Institute * Cambridge-INET Management Committee Member * Cambridge-INET Advisory Board Member

Research summary * Economic Theory * Contract Theory * Political Economy * Law and Economics * Labour Economics * Industrial Organization * Economics of Migration