Research Joachim De Weerdt

Abstract

This consortium proposal addresses the diverging fortunes of the rich, the poor and those in between. Our aim is to advance our understanding of how socioeconomic inequalities are changing, what is driving such trends and what, if anything, can be done. An undertaking of such ambition and complexity warrants an approach that combines state-of-the-art research from several disciplines. To that end, the current Methusalem grantee, the Centre for Social Policy Herman Deleeck, is joining forces with the Centre for Urban History and the Institute for Development Studies in the Antwerp Interdisciplinary Platform for Research into Inequality (AIPRIL) to continue and expand its work on the topic of socioeconomic inequality, enlarging the temporal and geographical scope this topic requires. We propose a seven year research program that seeks to make methodological, theoretical, and empirical advances in this rapidly evolving research field, building on insights from economics, sociology, economic history and development studies. The research program contains four strategically selected research streams: 1) New data and tools for the measurement of inequality; 2) Curbing inequality; 3) Urbanisation and Inequality; and 4) Shocks and Inequality.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Marx Ive
• Co-promoter: Blondé Bruno
• Co-promoter: Decancq Koen
• Co-promoter: De Herdt Tom
• Co-promoter: De Weerdt Joachim
• Co-promoter: Soens Tim

Research team(s)

• Herman Deleeck Centre for Social Policy

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

Globalization, and market integration more generally, has created winners and losers around the world. Recent political events (e.g. US elections and Brexit) show that many people are concerned and demand policies to stop globalization through new trade barriers and limits on free movement of people. Research on the precise impact of globalization and market integration has been constrained by measurement and data problems. Theoretical and empirical models using aggregate data failed to capture detailed heterogeneous effects. Identifying precise impact mechanisms or causality is complicated when other factors (such as technological change) occur simultaneously. Our project wants to improve impact analysis using unique and new detailed micro-data (at the firm-, region-, and household-level) and state-of-the art micro-econometric techniques. Our project's focus is global (covering many countries, both rich and poor) and local (with the use of micro-data) at the same time. We use a modern view of market integration — i.e. that trade is more than a flow of goods – by integrating local and global value chains into our analysis, taking into account embedded technology transfer and product and process requirements. In combination, this will allow to identify impact at the level of firms, sectors, regions and households, accounting for the complexity of the impact mechanisms.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Verpoorten Marijke
• Co-promoter: De Weerdt Joachim
• Co-promoter: Geenen Sara

Research team(s)

• Development processes, actors and policies

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

There is a growing consensus in the literature that well-being is a multidimensional concept. Yet, many development programmes still rely on monetary measures of well-being to target beneficiaries and evaluate outcomes. Such measures remain blind to the differences in nonmonetary dimensions of well-being between individuals. A multidimensional framework is required to take these differences into account. The aim of this project is to develop a richer framework for assessing well-being outcomes in development projects. A key feature of this multidimensional framework is that it respects the individual opinions of the poor on the importance of different dimensions of well-being. The framework will be implemented by addressing three specific and policy-relevant questions in three different developing countries. First, the question will be investigated whether the consideration of a richer framework will have implications for the targeting of social programs in Colombia. This question will be addressed using ex ante simulation techniques. Second, the new framework will be used to study the impact of an unconditional cash transfer programme in Kenya, using an ex post difference-in-difference estimator. Finally, we will study to what extent preferences of the poor in Ethiopia can be estimated with new stated preference techniques such as a discrete choice experiment.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Decancq Koen
• Co-promoter: De Weerdt Joachim

Research team(s)

• Herman Deleeck Centre for Social Policy

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This project provides technical support tot Tanzania's Prime Office Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG) to collect data on Emerging Small Towns (ESTs). PO-RALG estimates indicate that there may be as many as 800 ESTs, many of which are undocumented within the government system. PO-RALG has identified the lack of accurate and timely information on ESTs as a major obstacle to sound policy making and urban planning.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: De Weerdt Joachim

Research team(s)

• Development processes, actors and policies

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This research project aims to conduct a mixed methods study on migration destination choice in order to understand the differential roles played by cities and secondary towns with respect to growth and poverty reduction.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: De Weerdt Joachim

Research team(s)

• Development processes, actors and policies

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

This research project aims to conduct a mixed methods study on migration destination choice in order to understand the differential roles played by cities and secondary towns with respect to growth and poverty reduction.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: De Weerdt Joachim

Research team(s)

• Development processes, actors and policies

Project type(s)

• Research Project