Dr. Robert Finger

Professor

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Biography

Robert Finger's research lies at the intersection of agricultural science and economics. His work aims to improve the resilience and sustainability of agricultural food systems, focusing particularly on farm-level decisions and their connections to the environment, markets, society, and policy, especially in the context of European agriculture. His interdisciplinary research covers various topics related to agricultural practices and systems, with particular attention to evaluating and designing agricultural policies, as well as the economics of pest risk management. He has published over 250 peer-reviewed papers in leading agricultural, economic, and interdisciplinary journals and has received multiple awards, reflecting the scientific quality and societal impact of his work. Finger is active in teaching and outreach, contributing to the agricultural sciences program at ETH Zurich and promoting research and education on sustainable food security.

Research Interests

Agricultural Economics Sustainable Agriculture Food Systems Agricultural Policy Pest Risk Management

Experience

Professor of Agricultural Economics

2016-01-01 — Present

ETH Zurich • Zürich, Switzerland

Teaching and conducting research in agricultural economics, contributing to sustainable food systems.

Professor of Production Economics

2014-01-01 — 2016-01-01

University of Bonn • Bonn, Germany

Focused on agricultural production economics and policy.

Assistant Professor in Agricultural Economics and Rural Policy

2012-01-01 — 2014-01-01

Wageningen University • Wageningen, Netherlands

Engaged in interdisciplinary research impacting agricultural policies.

Awards

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ETH Medal

2009-01-01
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GEWISOLA Prize

2011-01-01
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Outstanding Journal Article Award

2022-01-01
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Fellowship Award

2025-01-01

Courses

Production, Investment Risk Management Agriculture Agricultural Policy Current Topics in Agricultural Food Economics Policy

Requirements for ETH Zurich

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.4
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
TOEFL
Total
Required:100
GRE General
Verbal
Required:159
Verbal Percentile
Required:80
Quantitative
Required:168
Quantitative Percentile
Required:81
Analytical Writing
Required:4.5
Writing Percentile
Required:85
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in a related field (Engineering, Natural Sciences, or Mathematics) Minimum 180 ECTS credits Subject-specific knowledge equivalent to ETH Bachelor's programs
Application Checklist
  • Bachelor's degree diploma or transcript
  • Official academic transcripts
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Letter of Motivation (1 page)
  • Two academic recommendation letters
  • English language proficiency certificate
  • GRE General Test (for non-EU/EFTA applicants)
Specialization Notes

The GRE is mandatory for students who did not obtain their Bachelor's degree in an EU/EFTA state. Some departments (e.g., Computer Science) have specific ECTS credit requirements in core subjects.