Emma Whitelaw

Emma is a researcher at the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit (SALDRU), based in the School of Economics at the University of Cape Town. 

She received her PhD in Economics from the University of Cape Town, during which time she worked on topics related to inequalities in post-school education in South Africa, particularly student funding, access, and success. Emma co-leads the Siyaphambili Initiative at SALDRU, a hub for education-related information and research. She has a special interest in the nexus of education, labour markets, and other demographic and social outcomes. 

Emma holds an MSc in Economics and Public Policy (cum laude)  from the University of York and an MA in African Languages (cum laude) from the University of Cape Town. She is an active alumna of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation, which aims to build exceptional leadership capacity in Africa.