About the Institute

The World Trade Institute (WTI)

The World Trade Institute (WTI) is a leading academic institution dedicated to teaching and research focused on international trade and investment regulation and economic globalisation and sustainability. As a centre of excellence at the University of Bern with an international, interdisciplinary focus, we explore the interconnections between the fields of law, economics and political science.

World Trade Review

Official Website of the World Trade Review (Cambridge University Press)
Official Twitter Account of the World Trade Review

The World Trade Review (WTR) was established at the initiative of the Secretariat of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in close cooperation with Cambridge University Press. It is an independent journal - the Editor and all but one member of the Editorial Board are drawn from university faculties - that includes articles written from economic, legal, political and inter-disciplinary perspectives on issues of relevance to the multilateral trading system. Priority is given to papers that, along with being academically rigorous, are also accessible to government policy officials and the wider public. The journal also includes shorter articles seeking to rebut or challenge published papers.

As of Janyuary 2022, the editorial team to lead the WTR consists of:

  • Wolfgang Alschner, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa
  • Manfred Elsig, Professor of International Relations at the University of Bern and Deputy Managing Director of the World Trade Institute.
  • Joseph Francois, Professor of International Economics at the University of Bern and Managing Director of the World Trade Institute.
  • Mona Pinchis-Paulsen, Assistant Professor of International Economic Law at The London School of Economics and Political Science.
  • Hylke Vandenbussche, Full Professor and International Trade Economist in the Department of Economics of the University of Leuven

Prof. Peter Van den Bossche, Director of Studies at the WTI, is, as of January 2022, member of the WTR Editorial Board.

The vision statement of the editorial team is as follows:

"The incoming editors wish to thank Alan Winters for his outstanding work with the journal. We are aware that the current global landscape is challenging for the study of global trade governance. Crises of multilateralism and a more power-based approach to preferential trade agreements, geopolitical tensions, growing nationalism and populism and a new pandemic are all stress testing the system. In these times, scholarly contributions are more important than ever. Following in the footsteps of Alan, we aim to continue to publish state-of-the art research in the respective fields of the journal. We welcome both theoretical and empirical contributions to provide insights into the world trading system writ large. We also encourage historical work in economics, law and international relations".

Their mission statement is:

"The mission of the World Trade Review is to provide a platform for rigorous, high quality scholarship that addresses salient questions regarding the system of international law and organisations governing trade and foreign investment. Such questions are inherently inter-disciplinary, and the managing editors encourage articles that address trade and investment governance from economic, legal, political, historical and inter-disciplinary perspectives. The peer review process assures that articles meet highest standards in terms of methodological rigour. The aim is to have impact not only in an academic sense, but also in the broader sense of bettering our understanding of systemic challenges through critical analysis and constructive debate. We encourage contributions from all corners of the world. While academic rigour is important, priority is placed on articles that are accessible to policy officials and the wider public".

The WTI is delighted and honoured that its directors, alongside Assistant Professor Mona Pinchis-Paulsen, have been appointed as new editors of the WTR. News about publications and other updates ( for example call for proposals) related to the WTR will published regularly on the WTI website. You can also consult the Cambridge University Press website linked on the left.

Please make sure to also follow the official WTR Twitter account for new updates and news. The link is on the left. 

Education, research, consultancy

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The WTI combines graduate-level education, interdisciplinary research and specialised advisory services in a unique and dynamic institution. We recruit students, researchers, faculty and employees from around the world, creating a diverse culture and stimulating environment.

The WTI closely cooperates with the Institute of European and International Economic Law, which shares the same premises.

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