Our Mission
Defining a gold standard for economic systems.
We aim to explore how the strongest features of national economic systems could be combined to establish a theoretical gold standard for economic organisation.
About Us
Atlas is developing an AI-powered economic research tool to compare national economic systems using data from governments, international organisations and universities. The project examines indicators such as GDP, unemployment, healthcare, pensions, labour laws and income distribution.
Who we are
What Atlas Stands For
Atlas seeks to support evidence-based economic research by examining the strengths and weaknesses of different national systems and exploring what can be learned from their respective approaches. In doing so, Atlas aims to build a bridge between academia, economic research and policy analysis.
Our research focus
Current Challenges in Healthcare and Its Financing
Rising costs, shortages of skilled personnel, and an ageing population are placing increasing strain on healthcare systems. How can an efficient, high-quality, and financially sustainable healthcare system be designed?
Sustainable Pension Systems
Population ageing is pushing pension and retirement systems to their limits. How can the long-term financial sustainability of old-age provision be secured in the face of demographic change?
Education System
Due to different learning prerequisites, it is difficult to achieve qualification goals and reduce skill gaps. This negatively affects opportunities in the labor market. How can the education system respond better and adapt curricula effectively?
Public Finances
Rising public debt, growing deficits, and long-term spending risks are limiting the fiscal policy room of many OECD countries. What strategies can ensure budget consolidation, sustainable public finances, and effective responses to structural change?
Enhancing Competitiveness and Innovation
Declining productivity growth and weak investment are threatening economic dynamism. How can framework conditions be improved to foster innovation and sustainable growth?
Income Distribution
Technological change, globalization and shifting employment patterns are increasing income inequality. What measures can improve upward mobility and job prospects for low-income groups, and how can tax policy address these challenges?
Upcoming Events
Health Care in Societal Transformation – A View of the DACH Region
How demographic change, workforce shortages, patient steering and medical innovation are shaping the future of health care in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.
20.05.2026 | JKU MED Campus Linz (medLOFT), 4020 Linz, Austria
The symposium report summarises the main findings from the discussions at the JKU MED Campus Linz and links directly to the full Knowledge Centre article.
Knowledge Centre
Health Care in Societal Transformation – A View of the DACH Region
How demographic change, workforce shortages, patient steering and medical innovation are shaping the future of health care in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.
Friedrich Schneider
Global Estimates of Informal Economies and New Insights for 152 Countries (1997–2022): Using an Enhanced Modelling Approach
Alban Asllani, Roberto Dell’Anno, Friedrich Schneider, Economic Analysis and Policy (2025), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eap.2025.11.027
Friedrich Schneider
Team
Prof. Friedrich Schneider
Founding Member and Head of Atlas Research Foundation
Professor Emeritus of Economics (JKU Linz) and Research Professor at DIW Berlin since 2006; his proven research interests include public finance, public choice, shadow economy, tax evasion, deregulation/privatization, environmental economics and money laundering.
Lic. Rer. Pol. Nicolas Thomet
Board Member
Nicolas Thomet is a founding partner of the Atlas Research Foundation. The former FXLM Global Head of Value Added Products at Citi currently serves as Chairman at Teres International AG. Furthermore, he is Head of Risk & Compliance and Board Member of Record Asset Management GmbH.
MBA, BA. Richard Preschern
Board Member
Richard Preschern is a founding partner of the Atlas Research Foundation. After 16 years as a currency and derivatives trader in Chicago he founded RoboSig, where he specializes in strategy optimization and risk management solutions.
Bc., BSc. Sebastian Tschernuth
Research Assistant
The Research Assistant holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of South Bohemia in Budweis (CZ) and Johannes Kepler University Linz (AT). He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence and has previously worked at the Chair of Intelligent Transport Systems at JKU. He now serves as a Data Scientist at FiveSquare. He supports Prof. Schneider with website maintenance and various research activities.