Research grants

£436,956; Jul 16 - Dec 19; Funder: ESRC

One of the main causes of the inadequate uptake of reproductive health services is women's weak control over pregnancy-related decisions. When and how many children to have, and whether and where to seek pre-natal, delivery and post-natal care, are crucial decisions that may shape an important pathway into or out of extreme poverty. To identify policy initiatives that can break the vicious circle between women's low empowerment, poor reproductive health and poverty, this project aims to increase our knowledge about the decision-making processes around the use of reproductive health services in Burkina Faso and Tanzania.

£348,443; Feb 12 - Feb 15; Funder: ESRC

Farmers in developing countries operate in extraordinarily hazardous environments. Policies that aim to increase agricultural productivity in such environments need to take into account how farmers take agricultural investment decisions. This project uses behavioural economic research methods to advance our understanding of farmers investment decisions in rural Uganda.

Oct 08 - Nov 12; Funder: NWO

This project aims to increase our understanding of the impact of reproductive health services on social and economic development. It analyzes the relationships and interactions between reproductive health and poverty at individual/household, community and district level. The research relies on enriched DHS Surveys and WB-LSMS panel data on individuals/households with differential reproductive health service use and practices, followed by detailed assessment of the likelihood of changes in wealth status (assets, investments and risk attitudes). Additional experimental research is carried out among respondents of the WB-LSMS panel. The combined analyses provide new insights in how specific reproductive health services can reduce poverty incidence, and generate evidence-based policy and programme recommendations.