Development Policy Research Unit (DPRU)

How can economic policy deliver better jobs in a rapidly changing world?

The 𝗝𝗼𝗯𝘀 & 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 invites policy-relevant research on labor and development economics, with a focus on solutions for low- and middle-income countries.

We invite papers on all areas of labor and development economics, with particular interest in:
• AI, technology & structural transformation
• Energy transition, resilience & labor markets
• Labor market policies and institutions
• Skills, education & lifelong learning
• Demographic change, migration & youth employment
• Inclusion, job quality & decent work
• Fiscal policy, growth & jobs

📍 Hosted by HKUST (IEMS), Hong Kong, 9–10 October 2026
🗓️ Submission deadline 20 March
🔗 Learn more: https://go.unu.edu/LXwSS

HKUST Institute for Emerging Market Studies World Bank Group International Labour Organization Development Policy Research Unit (DPRU)

IEA World Congress 2026, Belgrade | Call for papers

Submission of papers for the upcoming IEA World Congress to be held in Belgrade on June 22-26, 2026 is open as of today.

https://url.za.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/gwEXCP1KvQU4oWLyZtzfzhxa716

EDITORIAL: Never mind the numbers, focus on substance of jobs debate We should also be asking about GDP numbers and whether they reflect the informal sector

Join eNCA tonight at 20h00 for an episode of The People's Court - A Panel discussion/debate show, which tackles issues of national importance and aims to inspire national dialogue on issues affecting ordinary South Africans. Amongst the experts featured on tonight’s show will be Professor Haroon Bhorat, the Director at the Development Policy Research Unit based at the University of Cape Town, School of Economics.

Discussion Topic:
Does South Africa’s official unemployment rate, currently cited at roughly 32.9% by Stats SA, significantly understate the true scale of joblessness, as it excludes discouraged and underemployed individuals?

The 2025 UNU-WIDER Summer School wraps today at our headquarters in Helsinki.

A special thanks to all those present, to both the established and the next generation of researchers in the field of intergenerational social mobility. Look out for future studies from these bright scholars working to measure and explain how well (or less well) different societies manage to Leave No One Behind.

More info: https://go.unu.edu/P8JTH

An exciting workshop at UNU-WIDER headquarters earlier this week, as researchers from our project on the effects of AI on labour markets in developing countries gathered, alongside their peers, to finetune their research plans and both hear and provide expert feedback.

Follow the project, a part of Schmidt Sciences initiative on AI at work: https://go.unu.edu/5OVXX

First one of our spring 2025 Visiting Scholars to be introduced is Tim Köhler. Coming from Development Policy Research Unit (DPRU) at the University of Cape Town (UCT), he is a micro-economist focused on labour markets, social protection, and policy evaluation in lower-income countries.

Meet our visitors: https://go.unu.edu/D0wIP

Can emergency cash transfers help the unemployed find work or start a business?

For our next research seminar, Tim Köhler (University of Cape Town) presents new evidence from South Africa’s Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant—an emergency cash transfer introduced during the pandemic. His research examined how the grant affected job search, self-employment, and employment outcomes, and what it means for social protection in high-unemployment settings.

📅 24 April 2025 | 🕛 12:00–13:00 CEST
📍 Maastricht & Online
🔗 https://go.unu.edu/9zq7Q

We’re excited to host Dr. Köhler, an applied development micro-economist specialising in labour markets, social protection, and policy evaluation in lower-income countries. He will present "The Labour Market Effects of the SRD Grant."
📅 Date: 13 March 2025
⏰ Time: 12:30 - 14:00 (SAST)
🌍 Format: Hybrid Event

🔗 Register now: https://wits-za.zoom.us/meeting/register/AaATueg3STqWyPe8zDY_TA #/registration

IDRC / CRDI, Wits - University of the Witwatersrand The Conversation Africa, Wits RHI Wits Business SchoolWits School of Governance, UKZN Press