After graduating as commercial engineer, Michel Dumont completed a PhD in applied economics at the University of Antwerp in 2004. Between 2004 and 2007, he taught international economics and international economic organisations at the University of Antwerp. In 2007 he was also professor of economics of innovation at Delft University of Technology.
He has been working as an analyst in the structural studies team since 2007. He has carried out research on the structural determinants of economic growth and productivity, focusing on the importance of research and development (R&D) as well as human capital for innovation. In particular, he looks at the effectiveness of the tax advantages granted by the Belgian federal authorities to companies engaged in R&D. He also analyses the dynamics of the economic activity branches using data on the entry and exit of firms in a field and the growth of (start up) companies.