A PhD can be a game-changer for your career, especially at a research institute or international organisation. But not for everyone. Paul Caldron, one of our recent GPAC2 graduates, is a medical doctor approaching the end of his career – and in many ways he valued personal over professional development. … Paul, why exactly did you join our part-time PhD programme? As you would expect, my answer will be non-traditional. When my kids had all left home, and my practice efficiency had improved to th...

Alumnus and affiliated researcher Dr. Richard Bluhm has won this year’s Prize for Excellence in Applied Development Research from the German Economic Association (VfS). He was awarded first prize in the Young Researcher category for his doctoral thesis on ‘Growth Dynamics and Development. Essays in Applied Econometrics and Political Economy’. “Understanding why some countries are poor and others are rich, and how this gap can be closed, remains the most fundamental problem in development e...

Alumnus and affiliated researcher Dr. Carlos Cadena Gaitán is one of seven emerging leaders worldwide shortlisted for the ‘Inspired Leadership Award 2016’. The award will be presented at ‘The Performance Theatre’ – featuring 150 global CEOs and change-makers from across business, policy and civil society – in London, UK on 17-18 June 2016. Dr. Carlos Cadena Gaitán is the co-founder of La Ciudad Verde, a Colombian activist think tank that promotes sustainable cities through citizen participation ...

Ahead of a recent UNICEF 'Tweetchat' on child social protection, Dr. Mindel van de Laar caught up with alumna Dr. Keetie Roelen, who now works for the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) at the University of Sussex in the UK. Here's what they had to say about the past, present and future of our global development work....

Civil wars disrupt many aspects of life and development, including the education of the next generation. Yet until now there has been very little research into the subject. We spoke with Dr. Silvia Consuelo Gómez Soler after her record-breaking defence on this topical issue — which is relevant worldwide. 1. Congratulations on your PhD defence! You focused on civil conflict and education, drawing lessons from Colombia. Why did you choose this topic? SG: Getting a better understanding of the...

Judit Vall Castello was one of the first PhD fellows at the School of Governance: she joined our Marie Curie European Social Protection PhD programme in 2006, before graduating in 2010 with a dissertation on ‘Business Cycle and Policy Effects on Labour Market Transitions of Older and Disabled Workers in Spain’. We caught up with Judit after she gave a seminar at the School of Business and Economics in early October. 1. The European Social Protection PhD was an EU programme to create ...

In early September, Dr. Jinjing Li, a graduate of our PhD programme in 2011, returned to his alma mater. He was accompanying his wife, Jasmin Kientzel, who was here to (successfully) defend her PhD thesis. This smart couple now lives in Canberra, Australia, so it’s a rare honour to welcome them back to Maastricht. Dr. Mindel van de Laar spoke to Jinjing about the new life he’s started on the other side of the world, and his activities outside of research. 1. Jinjing, can you tell us ...

Mahmud Henry Rogers graduated from our Master’s programme in 2012 and is now standing as a candidate in the UK parliamentary elections on 7 May 2015. He is contesting the seat of Bedford and Kempston, located around 50 miles (80 km) north of London. Inspired by his time in Maastricht, Mahmud campaigns on themes including social protection: from raising the minimum wage to defending free healthcare for all citizens. He has also written and debated on sustainability issues — particular...

Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed of Mauritania was appointed UN Special Envoy for Yemen on 25 April 2015. He holds an Advanced Certificate in Economics and Social Policy Analysis from the Maastricht Graduate School of Governance — a course run by Dr. Franziska Gassmann. In a statement, a UN spokesperson said that Mr. Ould Cheikh Ahmed will work closely with the members of the UN Security Council, the Gulf Cooperation Council, governments in the region and other partners, as well as the UN Country ...

Described as “an astonishing inspiration for leaders around the world for how to mobilise people, create change in your local community and see the international effects,” PhD alumnus and affiliated researcher Dr. Carlos Cadena Gaitan has won the 2015 Future Sustainability Leader award. “This year’s… campaign searched for nominations for the best and brightest future leaders in sustainability that are mobilising for change and making us all seize new opportunities,”...