It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Philippe Martin. As an academic researcher, Philippe has contributed to a wide array of topics such as trade, economic geography and public policies, globalisation and financial crises and European economic policies. As a former member and chair of the Conseil d’Analyse Economique (CAE) and and the former co-chair of the Franco-German Council of Economic Experts (FGCEE), he has left his mark on evidence-based policy advice in France and Europe. His contributions to economic research as well as the public debate on economic policy will be sorely missed.
At the CAE and the FGCEE, he has cultivated his passion for public affairs. Philippe was not an ivory tower researcher. On the contrary, he wanted knowledge to contribute to the debate. And his vision of economics was that of an open, inquisitive discipline that serves the general interest, not that of a self-confident science that dominates the field of social sciences.
Philippe was deeply engaged with the European public debate both as a vice-president of the CEPR and as a co-chair of the FGCEE. Under his leadership, the FGCEE quickly responded to the policy debate during the Covid crisis by promoting a coordinated European policy response in April 2020. During his term, the FGCEE also contributed to the debate on European climate policy by promoting uniform carbon pricing within Europe together with carbon border pricing to sustain a level playing field. Passionate about the international exchange of economic policy advisers he has also helped organise several international conferences of councils on economic policy.
A collection of tributes can be consulted on the dedicated website co-organised by the CEPR, Sciences Po and the CAE: https://cepr.org/tribute-philippe-martin
An obituary in French can be found on the website of the CAE: https://www.cae-eco.fr/hommage-a-philippe-martin