Welcome to My Homepage
I am a professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Sussex, specializing in development and agricultural economics. My research focuses on poverty in rural communities in India and Sub-Saharan Africa.
I teach micro-development economics at the Master’s level, mathematics at the undergraduate level, and advise graduate students in development economics. My work explores the role of social networks, social norms, and identity in economic decision-making, with a particular interest in how individuals learn about their environment and how this influences behaviour.
Much of my research involves working directly with farmers in India and Africa. I have studied their learning processes, including how they gain knowledge from experts and through networks from other farmers about new agricultural technologies and market opportunities. More recently, I have examined land markets, migration, and social norms in India and Malawi.
I am also interested in gender economics. My research on the institution of marriage in India has explored the effects of early marriage and the role of the extended family. I have also studied adult education for women, focusing on its impact on their status and decision-making power. A central theme in my work is the relationship between parents and children, particularly how parental beliefs shape decision-making.
Most of my projects involve fieldwork, including household data collection, lab-in-the-field experiments, and Randomized Controlled Trials. Fieldwork provides me with the opportunity to explore unasked questions and gain deeper insights into the issues at hand, often sparking ideas for future research.
Contact Information
Department of Economics
Jubilee Building 279
University of Sussex
Falmer, Brighton BN1 9SL, UK
Email: A.Maertens@sussex.ac.uk
Annemie Maertens - Homepage - Updated March 2025