- The Prince of Asturias Chair is part of the agreement signed 25 years ago between the Endesa Foundation, Georgetown University, the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities, and the Embassy of Spain in the United States.
- Its objective is to promote Spanish science, culture, and research in the United States to strengthen ties between both countries.
- Federico Steinberg Wechsler, Associate Professor of Economic Analysis at the Autonomous University of Madrid, has been selected as the new chair following a competitive process in which 21 applications were evaluated after the chair's call for candidates was launched at the end of last September.
- He succeeds Juan Luis Manfredi, who held the chair from 2021 to 2024. Steinberg will begin his role as the new chair in January 2025.
Federico Steinberg Wechsler, Associate Professor of Economic Analysis at the Faculty of Economics and Business at the Autonomous University of Madrid, has been selected to lead the Prince of Asturias Chair at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
The Argentine-born economist, who resides in Madrid, is also a researcher at the Elcano Royal Institute, special advisor to the High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, and a member of the Advisory Council of Spain’s Minister of Economy.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Prince of Asturias Chair, which has established itself as a prestigious academic program fostering relations and knowledge of Spanish affairs in the United States. It was founded in 1999 through a collaboration agreement, recently renewed until 2028, between the Endesa Foundation, the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities, Georgetown University, and the Embassy of Spain in the United States.
The selection process for the chair is highly competitive, focusing on candidates who are specialist professors with teaching experience at Spanish universities in fields such as Political Science, History, Economics, Sociology, Humanities, and related disciplines. The process is conducted by a joint selection committee comprising Georgetown University, the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities, and the Endesa Foundation, evaluating candidates’ professional careers and proposed action plans for developing the chair.
A total of 21 candidates applied for this year’s selection process, which closed on October 8. From these, three finalists were shortlisted and interviewed by Georgetown University, which ultimately selected Steinberg. His proposal stood out for its focus on dialogue concerning international and European policies, transatlantic relations in economic, political, social, and diplomatic spheres, and the green economy, incorporating teaching, academic, and research activities aimed at increasing awareness of Spain’s current situation in the United States.
Regarding his appointment, Steinberg stated, “Holding the Prince of Asturias Chair, sponsored by the Endesa Foundation at Georgetown University, is a true privilege. Analyzing transatlantic relations from Washington and promoting knowledge of Spain in the United States through dialogue and cooperation between both countries will be key challenges, fully aligned with the Chair’s objectives.”
Throughout his professional career, the economist and researcher has achieved numerous academic distinctions: he has published nearly 60 articles in leading journals such as Global Policy, Economic Systems Research, and New Political Economy; he is the author of two books and has collaborated in international research networks and European projects such as Horizon 2020, the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme, and COST ACTION, as well as activities within the CIVIS network and Spain’s National R&D&I Plan. Additionally, he has participated in more than 75 research conferences and seminars.
He has also received the Extraordinary Doctorate Award from the Autonomous University of Madrid and has authored numerous publications, including his most recent works, “Dealing with Europe’s Economic (In-)security” in Global Policy (2023) and “Understanding US Influence in Europe,” which is currently in progress.
Federico Steinberg succeeds Juan Luis Manfredi, who held the chair from 2021 to 2024. Steinberg will assume his role as the new chair in January 2025.