Author: akgoyal

Into the Woods: Understanding the Environmental Consequences of IMF Programs

By Timon Forster In 2023, 3.7 million hectares of tropical primary forest was lost around the world, which amounts to losing almost 10 soccer fields of forest per minute. Deforestation endangers the livelihoods of millions of people, especially in emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs). The stakes could therefore hardly be higher for the international […]

Trading Partners and Market Shapers: The Role of China in the Global Trade of Low-carbon Technologies

By Jiaqi Lu As the world faces the urgent challenges of climate change, global trade for low-carbon technologies (LCTs) is becoming increasingly critical to meeting the surging demand for clean energy. Low-carbon technologies, ranging from renewable energy to electric vehicles and energy storage systems, are crucial in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting sustainable development. […]

GDP Center Round-Up: 2024 Summer in the Field Research Outcomes

By Akanksha Goyal With research projects spanning from Ghana to Greece, the 2024 cohort of Summer in the Field Fellows have successfully completed their fellowships. Sponsored by the Boston University Global Development Policy Center, the Summer in the Field Fellowship Program offers stipends ranging from $6,000 to $8,000 to a select group of Boston University […]

Summer in the Field: Why People Don’t Register Deaths in Ghana

By Vasudha Ramakrishna Funerals are big events in Ghana, very extravagant and expensive, with people often borrowing heavily to carry out elaborate celebrations, planning them for months, sometimes years. Careful thought is given to ensuring colorful billboards announcing the funeral arrangements, drinks, food, music and dance, elaborate caskets, inviting a large guest list, and a […]

Weighing the Costs and Benefits: Sustainability Premium for the Early Retirement of Coal Plants with Evidence from Indonesia

By Bahar C. Erbas, Niccolò Manych, Kevin P. Gallagher and Rishikesh Ram Bhandary Retiring coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) is an effective solution for adhering to the temperature limits of the Paris Agreement. Development finance institutions (DFIs) can play pivotal roles in supporting governments in early phase-down initiatives. These approaches must consider social and environmental aspects […]

Summer in the Field: Three Effective Ways to Use Routinely Collected Data to Evaluate Health Programs — Insights from Rwanda’s Mass Drug Administration Program

By Christian Mazimpaka During the summer of 2024, I travelled from Boston to my home country Rwanda to collect data for my doctoral dissertation as a part of the 2024 Summer in the Field Fellowship Program. I partnered with the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), an implementation agency of the Rwanda Ministry of Health, to evaluate […]

Summer in the Field: Show Me How You Move – Developing Methodology for Estimating Demand for Transportation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

By Anastasiia Arbuzova In rapidly urbanizing cities like Addis Ababa, transport infrastructure serves as a crucial foundation for economic growth, social connectivity and overall quality of life. However, the benefits and challenges of mobility are not experienced equally across all segments of society. Women, who often carry responsibilities for housework, caregiving and work, face unique […]

Meet the 2024 Global Economic Governance Fellows

By Akanksha Goyal The Boston University Global Development Policy Center (GDP Center) is pleased to present the 2024-2025 cohort of Global Economic Governance Fellows. These six outstanding scholars join the GDP Center from various backgrounds and universities, including the University of Oxford, American University and Syracuse University. They have completed or are completing doctoral degrees […]

GDP Center Round-up: The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation

By Akanksha Goyal and Angie Ye The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held in Beijing from September 4-6, 2024, with African leaders and members of FOCAC scheduled to attend. Since the inception of the FOCAC in 2000 and the China-Africa Development Fund in 2006, China’s economic ties with Africa […]