Bernd Irlenbusch studied computer science (Diplom Informatiker, 1992), economics (Diplom Volkswirt, 1994), and business administration (Diplom Kaufmann, 1996). In 2000 he received his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Bonn for his thesis entitled "Behavior Governed by Non-binding Contracts – Theory and Experimental Observations". Bernd Irlenbusch was a researcher at the German National Research Center for Computer Science in Sankt Augustin (1992-1995), the Laboratorium für experimentelle Wirtschaftsforschung, University of Bonn (1995-2000) and an Assistant Professor of Microeconomics at the University of Erfurt (2000-2004). After spending six years as a Lecturer and Reader at the London School of Economics, he is now Professor of Corporate Development and Business Ethics at the University of Cologne.

Bernd has published for instance in theAmerican Economic Review, European Economic Review, International Review of Law and Economics, Journal of Common Market Studies, Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, Journal of Economic Psychology, Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Journal of Law, Economics, and Organization, Labour Economics, Management Science, Zeitschrift für BetriebswirtschaftandZeitschrift für betriebswirtschaftliche Forschung.

His research interests include Behavioural and Experimental Economics, Organisational Economics, Personnel and Labour Economics, Social Dilemmas, and Game Theory.

He joined IZA as a Research Fellow in November 2003.