With the successful tenure evaluation of Prof. Arndt Reichert and the associated establishment of the Institute for Health and Development Economics (HDE), an opportunity arose to elevate a long-standing collaboration to a new organizational level. The Institute of Health Economics (IHE) and HDE have therefore joined forces in a new alliance: AHeaD (Alliance for Health and Development Economics).

HDE emerged from the outstanding research and teaching environment developed at IHE over many years. Prior to the establishment of HDE, the scholars and staff who now belong to the two institutes worked together within IHE in teaching, doctoral training, and administrative matters. Joint initiatives, such as the doctoral seminar and coordinated administrative structures, reflect this established partnership. AHeaD provides a common framework to make these synergies visible and to further develop them strategically. 

The name AHeaD deliberately reflects a forward-looking aspiration. Through excellent research and evidence-based policy, the alliance aims to contribute to social progress and improve the well-being of people in difficult life situations in developing, emerging, and industrialized countries.

To realize this aspiration, AHeaD pursues three central goals: First, to generate and disseminate causal evidence with societal impact. Second, to attract and support outstanding scientific talent. Third, to foster a working environment that enables top-level research through trustful collaboration and a healthy work-life balance.