What social protection innovations were implemented in response to the COVID-19 crisis? A new report commissioned by UNDP found that almost all countries required innovative practices to quickly deliver social protection to those usually excluded from benefits, including informal-sector workers, refugees and migrants. Are entrepreneurs in Kenya’s informal sector more likely to receive goods and services on credit when using mobile money? A new working paper says that mobile money can indir...
Do countries’ research priorities match their SDG challenges? Will science and technology inequalities prove a barrier to success? A new policy brief argues that funders, donors and international organisations should review their research priorities — by consulting with a wider range of stakeholders and assessing the unequal impacts on society of research itself. Can social protection policies improve the educational achievements, as well as the mental and physical health, of immigrant stu...
How do we measure national progress towards carbon neutrality, holistic sustainable development, and building a green, innovative and competitive economy? A new policy brief outlines the performance and ranking of all EU Member States. How can governments and other stakeholders put together a systems approach for social protection policies? A new book chapter considers the importance of various fields including taxation, humanitarian aid and livelihood approaches. These are just two questions ta...
What particular challenges does the EU face in transitioning to a low-carbon electricity system? What are the likely scientific and social impacts? A new PhD thesis considers the main hurdles for the EU in its shift from intensive use of fossil fuels to a low-carbon power system. What are the causes and drivers of inequality across Botswana? A new report for UNDP reveals the structure and drivers of inequality including the role of tertiary education and the links between land ownership, demogra...
Time will tell, but today, one and a half years after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the “gloom-and-doom” predictions of worldwide recession, major disruptions in international trade, and rapidly rising unemployment appear to have been exaggerated. As the International Monetary Fund pointed out, the 2008/2009 financial crisis had a much more negative impact on the economy than either a “typical” recession or past “modern” pandemics (see Figure below).[1] Of course, the current COVID-19 p...
The institute showed its resilience in 2020, with staff showing incredible levels of commitment, strength and resourcefulness, which leaves the institute in a strong position to face the ongoing challenges and to take the opportunities that will be available as the global community looks to ‘build back better’ from the pandemic....
Does it pay to do ‘novel’ science? Based on applications to a Swiss research funding programme, a new article finds that novel scientists have a higher probability of applying for funds than non-novel scientists, but that on average they receive lower ratings by grant evaluators and have lower chances of being funded. When it comes to learning and innovation, do small firms differ from large ones across India? A new article weighs up formal and informal learning approaches in small a...
This time Dr Mindel van der Laar (MvdL) caught up with Eliana Rubiano Matulevich and her supervising team composed of Prof Melissa Siegel (MS), Dr Ortrun Merkle (OM) and Dr Lisa Anderson (LA). Eliana will shortly defend her thesis on “Essays on conflict-induced displacement and gender in Colombia”....
This time we catch up virtually with Purity Njagi who will shortly defend her thesis on “Financial risk, vulnerability and equity of access to health care services in Kenya”. ...
This time Dr Mindel van der Laar (MvdL) and Prof Kristof De Witte (KW) caught up with Gloria Bernal (GB) who will shortly defend her thesis “On improving education opportunities: preferences and performance of high school students in response to scholarships, information and co-education”...